Firm Closes Contaminated Area

The L.D. McFarland Co. will close part of its Sandpoint pole yard because of soil contamination caused by years of treating poles with creosote and other chemicals.

The closure will mean a loss of about nine jobs. The plant, which has operated for 82 years in Sandpoint, has 27 employees.

“During a recent site investigation, we discovered soil and ground-water contamination that now dictates an accelerated closure schedule so that we may promptly begin to remediate the site,” said company president Corry McFarland.

The contamination stems from years of dipping and treating cedar poles with chemicals to preserve the wood. The poles are used for power and phone lines.

The company is working with state and federal agencies to ensure the site is properly cleaned. It will require removing contaminated soil and tearing down buildings.

McFarland said that after the area is cleaned, he hopes the property will be used for other light commercial ventures.