Sierra Pacific Industries Hopes Ruling Will Deter California Regulators
A top resource official for timber giant Sierra Pacific Industries says he hopes a judge’s scathing ruling in the company’s favor will deter overzealous state regulators.
Retired Superior Court Judge Leslie C. Nichols found the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection guilty of “egregious and reprehensible” actions while investigating the 2007 Moonlight Fire and ordered the agency to pay more than $30 million in penalties and legal fees, The Associated Press reported.
Nichols, who was appointed to the case by the state Supreme Court, said Feb. 4 that Cal Fire’s efforts to blame SPI and other landowners were corrupt and tainted, according to the wire service.
Dan Tomascheski, SPI’s vice president in charge of resources, said the company’s relations with the state’s firefighting agency have been positive.
“There are a lot of good, professional and ethical people working at Cal Fire,” Tomascheski said in an interview at the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference here on Feb. 6. “They’re one of the world’s best firefighting agencies and we need their support. This was about I think a few individuals who, in pursuing financial gain, let their vision get clouded by the prospect of extracting a large settlement from us,” he said. “I think their investigations going forward are going to be carefully done and be meticulous. There won’t be a rush to judgment. They’ll do their job.”
From Capital Press: capitalpress.com.
RELATED ARTICLES
Sierra Pacific Buys Oregon’s Seneca
Sierra Pacific Foundation Grants Scholarships
Latest News
The Logger Supply Chain Strain
During the Southern Forest Products Assn.’s educational sessions at the 2021 event, longtime sawmiller and consultant Huey Long noted that early in his career, one of his mentors said that to help maintain perspective, it’s important to always keep a basic line chart graph showing 20 years of lumber prices on your office…
Musser Plans More Byproducts
Musser Biomass and Wood Products, a division of family-owned and operated Musser Lumber Co., will invest $7.5 million and create 10 new jobs to expand its operation at Rural Retreat, Va. The expansion will more than double production of dried hardwood chips and sawdust the company supplies to composite decking…
Sierra Pacific Foundation Grants Scholarships
Sierra Pacific Foundation is awarding more than $521,000 in scholarships to 169 students as they attend colleges, universities, and trade schools during the 2023-2024 school year. “It is both an honor and a privilege for our family to continue to offer this ongoing support for these students,” says Carolyn Emmerson Dietz…
Bruks Siwertell Acquires West Salem Machinery
Bruks Siwertell Group has signed an acquisition contract for North American heavy machinery specialist, West Salem Machinery (WSM), effective July 1, 2023. The Oregon-based engineering and manufacturing company will continue to operate under its current name as a separate internal division within Bruks Siwertell…
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.
Subscribe/Renew
Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.