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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 28, 1993)
1993 Vernonia Friendship Jumboree - Page 5 Logging - still a vital activity to the community The closing of the Oregon- A m erican Lum ber Company mill, the development of tree farming, and rapidly expanding technology have all impacted our logging community in two im p o rta n t w ays: It has in creased the size and scope of the logging contractor while re d u cin g both th e num ber of c o n tra c to rs and the la b o r force. Frequently overlooked in the world of big-scale logging is the gyppo logger who, be cause of his mobility, is able to log smaller woodlands that are either inaccessible or not cost- e ffe c tiv e fo r the use of big equipment. Three such active loggers in the Vernonia area are Mike Pihl Logging, Cedarwood Log ging and Plummer Logging. Mike Pihi and his son, Dan. The next logger? also about working a Saturday. Mike Pihi Logging, general logging contractor After graduating from Banks High School in 1979, Mike Pihl headed for Alaska, where he worked in tim ber cam ps for three years. Then he returned to Oregon, purchased a yarder and went into business with his b ro th e r, M att, as Pihl Brothers Logging. After two years, he became sole owner of the business and the name was changed to Mike Pihl Log ging. Seven years later, he's still going strong. With fourteen employees, Mike has a relatively large log ging crew, but he m aintains h a n d s-o n in v o lve m e n t. "I wouldn't have any one of my men do anything I w ouldn't do,'' Mike says, and he means it. Presently working in the St. Helens water shed, Mike is the first one on the job each morn ing because he's spent the night there, a situation neces sitated by vandalism. This is the sixth year Mike has landed the contract with the City of St. Helens. Mike's crew is working 100 acres with tw o sides. One side is being worked with a shovel loader to move the tim ber; the second side is using a TMY 45 yarder. When the crew has completed the job, they will have moved 3-million board feet to market, in about two months. Mike Pihl Logging has plen ty of work, with about 25 pri vate jobs each year. He has worked regularly for Interna tional Paper and, since IP has sold most of its Vernonia area timber, Mike and his crew will be harvesting IP's last Vernon ia tree farm, on Green Moun tain Road. He also does a lot Richard Farr, who usually runs loader at night, this time is operating the D6 line cat. Best Wishes for Vernonia's Friendship Jamboree and Logging Show L. Jepson & Sons, Logging Contractors Clatskanie, Oregon - (503) 728-4315