Eureka Pulp Mill Shuts Down, Idling 215 Workers

EUREKA, Calif. -- A Humboldt County pulp mill that employs 215 workers says it will shut down until the pulp market rebounds.

Evergreen Pulp announced yesterday that it will shutter its pulp plant in Samoa next week amid falling demand for paper, containerboard and housing materials.

Last week the company said it would cut up to 15 percent of its union and salaried workers and warned it might temporarily close the plant just outside of Eureka.

Evergreen Vice President Rex Bohn says he doesn't know when the mill would restart.

Richard Marks, who heads the union, says the plant will employ fewer employees than the current 215 if and when it reopens. He says the plant's shutdown will be felt throughout the local economy.