Hot timber market boosting county revenue

Because of hot markets and good timing, Wahkiakum County stands to receive higher than expected revenue from harvest of timber on county trust timberland.

Last fall, commissioners estimated timber sale revenue at $1.1 million, but on Tuesday, representatives of the state Department of Natural Resources, which manages the trust timberland, estimated 2018 revenue at $1.7 million.

DNR District Manager Padraig Callahan estimated the value to the county of the Universal Sorts sale at $1.5 million, but after it was sold in February, they now expect $1.65 million. Another sale will generate an estimated $49,568.

"It sold in February when the market shot up," Callahan said. "The market stayed strong, and we have really good numbers.

He added that the current estimates are conservative, and that while the domestic market is hot, "the global economy is shaky."

Commissioner Dan Cothren commented that while the domestic market is hot, the export market is cooling off. For example, Chinese buyers are starting to get wood from the Russian Federation.

Callahan said the agency has a series of timber sales ready to go for the county. They estimate close to $1 million in timber revenue each year 2019-2021.