The unemployment rate will soon take a big jump in the town of Quincy in Plumas County. Sierra Pacific Industries has announced that it will be closing its small-log sawmill on May 4th. That will put about 150 people out of work in the town of two-thousand. Quincy resident and former Plumas County Supervisor Rose Comstock says that's going to mean an immediate loss of more than six-million dollars in salaries, but Comstock points out that those salaries generally are spent in Quincy, or the surroundintg area, meaning a further loss of income for local businesses. She says the general things that people maybe take for granted that they spend their money on are no longer bought. Comstock also says when local families have to leave because of loss of jobs then the schools lose funds as well.

She points out that income for logging companies working the forests, fuel companies, parts companies, tires shops, and everyone else will also be impacted. She blames the loss of the sawmill on lawsuits brought by environmental groups that oppose legislation approved by Congress in 1998. That legislation authorizes thinning of the forests as part of an effort to prevent catastrophic forest fires. Comstock says Congress approved that legislation on a vote of 429 to one. Comstock says the litigation has had a direct impact on the ability to get a supply of small logs to the mill.

The Executive Director of the Sierra Forest Legacy, Craig Thomas, is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuits. He blames the stalemate on what's to happen with the forests on former President George Bush even though Democrat Diane Feinstein was one of the co-authors of the legislation. Thomas says Sierra Forest Legacy negotiators are finally working on a compromise with the forest service. He says they're rolling up their sleeves, "coming to the table, discussing areas of agreement and areas of disagreement."

Both Assemblyman Dan Logue and Congressman Tom McClintock have issued statements condemning the litigation filed by various environmental groups.