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BONNER- The logs are piling up at the old Stimson mill site and the new operators are about ready to start chipping and then shipping the wood for use in an eastern Washington mill.

The new operations started at the Bonner mill site in December and are aimed at meeting Boise Inc.'s objectives to find new sources of wood chips.

The constant loading of logs at the Bonner yard in the past two months has resulted in an impressive mountain of wood fiber on the property, not seen since the heyday of the Stimson Mill several years ago.

Western Montana Development purchased the land earlier this winter, and Willis Enterprises has been busy stockpiling load after load of logs destined for the Boise paper mill in Wallula, in Southeast Washington.

Willis will chip the logs, helping Boise to tap into a solid wood supply from western Montana.

"We continually look across the Northwest for sources of steady, sustainable timber and the property, the people, the partnerships that came together at this site really met all of our criteria. We're thrilled to partner with Montanans to sustainably harvest timber," Boise Wallula Mill Public Relations Manager Destry Henderson explained.

There are thousands more logs on the site than there were in December, Willis will use a portable unit on site. Montana Rail Link has re-opened the spur line leading into the log yard and rail cars will be used to transport the chips the 350-miles to the Boise mill by rail.

The past 20 years have been difficult in the northwest paper industry because of that uncertain wood supply. But Henderson says tapping into what's available from western Montana's extensive forests helps Boise meet that objective of having a reliable source of wood.

"Boise focuses on sustainability. That's certainly environmental sustainability, sustainably managed timber, economic sustainability, social sustainability. And this project encapsulates all three," Henderson said.

When asked if it's a way to extend the collection aspect of the operation, Henderson said that, "this project here basically expands our fiber basket".