PRIEST RIVER - Timber still forms the backbone of western Bonner County. In close proximity to communities in western Bonner County are three major sawmills.

The Stimson-owned and operated mill in Priest River is surrounded by timberlands that include Stimson Lumber Company-­owned timber and thus are amply supplied.

Stimson's Priest River mill produces premium studs of eight- and nine-­foot lengths which serve retail markets nationwide, according to the company's website.

The mill processes Douglas fir, western larch, lodgepole pine, and cedar logs.

The Pend Oreille Valley Railroad, which connects to the Union Pacific Railroad or the Burlington Northern and Sante Fe Railroad, ships the studs across the country.

Nearby in Oldtown, Tri­Pro Forest Products has operated the Albeni Falls plant since purchasing

it from Crown Pacific 20 years ago this summer. Since the company tran­sitioned from its previous Spokane facility to the Oldtown location, it has steadily employed between 50 and 100 people, said company president Steve Linton.

The facility produces between three to four mil­lion board feet per month from western red cedar logs, according to the com­pany website.

The Merritt family has owned the company since its inception in 1987. The Oldtown facility encom­passes 35 acres overlooking the Pend Oreille River.

The company is "able to custom run and package products to our customers needs then ship those prod­ucts via BN rail, truck, or van," said the website.

In Laclede, the Idaho Forest Group's mill produc­es up to 240 million board feet per year, according

to the company website. Managed by Mike Henley, who came over to IFG from Riley Creek Lumber in Priest River, the Laclede plant has carved out a niche for itself in process­ing Douglas fir for export around the globe.

The mill also creates Idaho white pine boards and premium-grade inland cedar products, said the IFG website.

Before taking over the Laclede plant, Henley spent seven years operating most of the Laclede plant's mill machinery, its log yard equipment, and also han­dling quality control, said the website.