Articles

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) announced today that the Colville National Forest has awarded a 10-year stewardship contract, the Integrated Resource Service Contract (IRSC), worth $30 million, to Vaagen Bros. Lumber Inc. of Colville, Washington. The Congresswoman released the following statement.

“We are thrilled to announce that Vaagen Bros. Lumber Inc. has received Colville National Forest’s stewardship contract.  One-third of the national forest land managed by the Forest Service is diseased or dying. This funding allows for sufficient management for treating the forest and surrounding areas. The Colville National Forest is no exception to disease issues and is the economic driver in Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties and the contract gives the local forest industry the opportunity to create more jobs and better manage the forest.

“Our office has been working on the concept of privately funding forest management for years, pushing to find innovative solutions to allow timberland owned by the Forest Service to create jobs and revenue for counties and schools in Northeastern Washington.”