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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Market leaves unharvested forests

Wayne Lythgoe and the hordes of arm-chaired Fox News parrots advocating the best managed forest is a denuded forest are just not living in the real world. Simple logistics and markets have diminished timber harvests more than the hated environmentalists.

Hauling logs hundreds of miles is too expensive. The Department of Natural Resources’ denuding operations down our road northeast of Newman Lake went to Colville. Nearby mills? Gone. California mills? Ditto.

I’m neighbor to privately-owned 5,000 acres of timber. I was told that only until this year prices were high enough to harvest any species but cedar.

Plus, every day, a BNSF lumber train from Chewelah to Yardley in Spokane is loaded down with Canadian lumber as well as Colville lumber.

Mike Reno

Newman Lake, Wash.

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