Sen. Weber, Rep. Javadi: Lament job losses over closed sawmill

Senator Weber, Representative Javadi Lament Job Losses, Funding for Essential Services Following Washington County Sawmill Closure
Senator Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook)
and Representative Cyrus Javadi (R-Tillamook)
Press Release,

SALEM, Ore. – This week, a Hampton sawmill in Bank announced it will shut down its operation which employs 58 people due to timber supply restrictions. Following the news, Senator Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook) and Representative Cyrus Javadi (R-Tillamook) released the following statement:

“Though this is the first, it will certainly not be the last closure caused by the Habitat Conservation Plan’s anticipated devastation,” said Senator Weber. “Restricting the timber industry while depleting local revenues is bad policy on all fronts.”

“This is just the tip of the spear if the Department of Forestry moves forward with the current draft of the Habitat Conservation Plan,” Representative Javadi said. “Job losses will only mount – not just in our logging sector – but also law enforcement, education, and other critical local services.”

Representative Javadi introduced legislation last session to bring more accountability to the Department of Forestry and will again this session. This bill would require ODF to calculate a sustainable harvest level every 5 years and would require that they develop plans to make up for lost revenue should they fall short of the estimated harvest levels.

Clatsop and Washington counties are projected to be hit hardest by the current HCP, with more than $13 million in lost revenues that fund schools, police, fire, and other county services like elections.

According to the Oregon Forest Resources Institute, 11 jobs are created for every 1,000,000 board feet of timber harvested. The HCP could instantly kill up to 275 family-wage jobs, putting local businesses that serve those forestry workers at risk.

“Our first priority must always be to protect rural northwest Oregon from harmful policies by urban and Portland-centric politicians,” they added. “The Legislature must act to protect jobs and way of life.”