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Plans for a lumber mill in Williams by the contractor overseeing a massive forest-thinning project in northern Arizona’s forests appear stuck on the back burner. Good Earth Power AZ was reissued a grading permit this week, but it could be several weeks before construction can start because of other issues, city building inspectors said.

Chief building inspector Tim Pettit told the Arizona Daily Sun that the company is behind on submitting plans and regaining other permits for the project. Good Earth has yet to re-submit a request for a burn permit, Pettit said. Without one, they will have to haul away old wood debris that is still there from previous mills that operated in that area.

“It’s a tough location, and it will have to dry out for them to get to work,” Pettit said. “It’s going to take a lot of work. I’m thinking they’re months out.”

Good Earth Power snagged the contract for the Four Forest Restoration Initiative from the U.S. Forest Service last year after the previous contractor had to back out.

The project involves thinning 300,000 acres in four Arizona forests over a decade to reduce the dangers of potentially devastating wildfires. Good Earth announced in December plans for a mill where at least 50,000 board feet a day would be milled. In January, the company received a burn and grading permit.

From WRAL.com: http://www.wral.com/contractor-s-plans-for-a-lumber-mill-in-williams-on-hold/14560215/