4 nt a - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 4, 2005 - B5 RICHARD Bohn uses this Wood Mizer portable band saw mill to break down the cedar he buys 0 of the local market. He operates Blackfish Sawmills, which specializes in custom-cut lumber, coastal - milling, wood products and firewood. Milling about the cedar By DUSTIN QUEZADA THREE YEARS ago Richard Bohn decided it was ’ time to start something new or move to Alberta. - So the 30-year logger opened Blackfish Sawmills, a small-scale cedar mill in Terrace. - . It’s so small, in fact, that the 49-year-old is its sole operator. . “(Blackfish Sawmills) is a one-man operation that specializes in custom-cut cedar,” said Bohn, outside’ the non-descript building at the intersection of Kalum? Lake Rd. and Highway 16. “It’s a full-time job.” Once inside, the unmistakable scent of cedar’ is overpowering. , “I can’t even smell it any more,’ » said Bohn, while conducting a tour of his business: ' The front room has saws under a fountain-like steady stream of oil.. The circular saws, said Bohn require daily sharpening. In the expansive back area, the mill consists of a _ chop saw and a portable band saw mill used in the initial breakdown of logs into lumber. i The pricey equipment was the bulk, of Bohn's Ss start-up costs — around $80, 000 ‘he ‘said, ‘ Bohn admitted to struggles in his first two years of operation. National Forest Week p May 7 ‘ 2005 is room for-small mills in the forestry business. sociation. ‘ing with government,’ it out wet,’ ‘the! ren opening of ‘the mill under the'Terrace Lumber” ne Company. It will produce more traditional‘dimension "f a - cnAINGER INDUSTRIAL - FLEET - SAFETY SUPPLY — Prince Rupert, 155 George Hills Way 250-624-9195 Kitimat, 721 Enterprise 250-632-4651 www.acklandsgrainger.com DUSTIN QUEZADA PHOTO see en If you own a forestry-related business and need financial assistance, ask us about... Forestry Community | Business Loans | Financing is available up to $125,000 Funds can be used for start-up or expansion of forest sector small and © medium-sized business. Cali 16/37 Community | Futures _ \ vat 635-5449 or 1-800-663-6396 | | ad www. 637cfbe. be. ca | “p m making a living, I’m not getting rich,” he said. ‘‘This year things should turn around.” , ~Blackfish’s custom-cut cedar, such as beams or clear lumber, is sold both locally and for the Vancou- ver housing market. ; Bohn buys his wood off the local market, so his only variable is the wood’s fluctuating price. Free from government regulations, Bohn said there However, with an eye toward future work with government, Bohn. said small mills in-the Kalum Forest District are in the process of forming an:as- “We'll have more bar; gaining power when work: “he said of a possible associa- tion forming, adding it would also spread jobs. ° For now, Bohn has his sights on setting up a dry kilm, used to dry his processed wood. “Right now, the wood is air-dried. I have to ship * he said. With his developing cedar niche in the lumber market, he said he doesn’t fear a negative effect'from * lumber. @ YES WE ARE OPEN | ” MONDAY TO FRIDAY | 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. © 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Vanderhoof & Districts Co-op Cardlock, Terrace Location 24 hr. convenience for all cardiock products ° 9 cardlock locations for your convenience . Skeena Sawmills A Division of WestfraserMillsLtd — Diesel « Diesel Dyed Regular e Regular Dyed Plus all your lubricant needs e Industrial Hydraulic Oils (22,32,46, 68, 100 450) * Chain Oil . ° DMO Advanced Motor Oils _ @ Dynamix TCW3 Two Cycle . | _ and, much, much more We have what you need. ‘SPRING OIL SALE . Special Pricing industrial Hydraulic Oil HD7 DMO Products Last Year Members Got 5.6% © _Cash/Equity Back . (Average 3.5¢/Litre) * = ‘2912 Molitor Street, Terrace Phone: 635-9595 e Fax: 635-4524 Box 117, Houston, BC VOu 1Z0 Fax (250) 845-3619 Phone (250) 845-2234 + 1-800-663-5020. Serving Houston, Burns Lake, Smithers, Hazelton, Terrace & Kitimat with Delivery and Card Locks Call today for more information on our products and services 1-800-663-5020 © Mobil