COVID-19 causes Columbia Pulp to stop manufacturing

STARBUCK–Columbia Pulp executes a temporary order to suspend manufacturing activities at the local plant on March 28 due Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order on March 23. The cease and desist normal business, except “essential activity has halted many vendors supplying the plant as well.

The Governor of Washington State issued an executive order requiring everyone in Washington to “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” on Monday evening, March 23, as part of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, with exceptions for “essential activity”.

Columbia Pulp’s management promptly began to plan how to execute an orderly suspension of manufacturing activities after the Board of Managers of Columbia Pulp I, LLC resolved to suspend regular operations at the Lyons Ferry facility.

Subsequently, the company was notified that various equipment vendors may not be able to support the operations of its straw pulp facility due to its remote location, travel disruptions and the health status of their workers. Moreover, concern mounted among our workforce, their families and our communities regarding the continuation of operations in this environment.

The Company commenced an orderly shutdown of its wheat-straw pulp mill Sunday morning March 29, 2020 and completed the curtailment of operations Tuesday morning March 31, 2020. The company will continue to employ personnel to safeguard the plant and to ensure the safety of the community at large.