Conservationist Proposes Big Sawmill For San Luis Valley

BLANCA, Colo. (AP) - A large ranch in Colorado is planning to build a sawmill  in the San Luis Valley to help improve forest health.

The Trinchera Blanca Ranch produces an estimated 2.5 million board feet of timber per year. The proposed sawmill would produce 20 million board feet a year. The sawmill could employ up to 70 workers.

Trinchera Blanca Ranch Manager Ty Ryland says large portions of Colorado's forests are hurting due to poor forest management practices.

The Ranch covers about 172,000-acres. The ranch has battled years of drought, spruce bud worm, spruce beetle and bark beetle infestations.

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