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Nov. 30 summit to discuss feasibility of forest products campus

A broad range of people interested in decreasing wildfire risk, improving forest health and building the local economy will gather on Nov. 30 to talk about a potential forest products campus in Chelan County.

At the Chelan County Forest Products Campus Summit, stakeholders will learn the results of a feasibility study completed recently by consultants with Chelan County Natural Resources. The summit is being held at Wenatchee Valley College’s Mish ee twie building, at the Jack and Edna Maguire Conference Center. The public is invited to attend.

The summit will be 9 a.m. to noon, with a strategic planning session following at 1 p.m. to discuss next steps.

Or listen in via Zoom: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89261125652

Meeting ID: 892 6112 5652

One tap mobile: +12532050468,,89261125652# US

Among those topics to be discussed include the current forest health in the region, an assessment of the regional wood supply, an economic analysis of forest products available, suite suitability, and business and infrastructure opportunities.

“Chelan County is the highest risk community in the state for potential wildfire damage,” said Mike Kaputa, director of Natural Resources. “Reducing that risk is costly. A locally located forest products campus would make forest health treatments more economical while building on our local economy.”

For about two years, Chelan County has been exploring the building of a forest products campus that will harvest timber from overburdened Central Washington forests and produce lumber products for market, in turn improving forest health and preventing wildfires.

Natural Resources received a grant from the U.S. Forest Service to determine the feasibility of building such a project. A team of consultants will develop a comprehensive design for an engineered sawmill, biomass and mass timber facility that would process small dimension logs thinned from the forest.

Last Updated: 11/20/2023 03:45 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 18
    Dec 2024
    01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person
  • 18
    Dec 2024
    06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

    Planning Commission - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 11
    Dec 2024
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Chelan County Civil Service Commission

    Posted by: Human Resources

    The Chelan County Civil Service Commission will be meeting on December 11, 2024.

    Chelan County Commissioners Office, CM Conference Room 1
  • 04
    Dec 2024
    09:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    Hearing Examiner - December 4, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    Chelan County Administrative Building or zoom
  • 26
    Nov 2024
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office