Does Lewiston really smell? (Nampa, Potlatch: real estate, place to live, gym)

[stingraynm]

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

paper? mill

If word of mouth told me correctly, it's a pulp mill. They don't actually put out paper, but just create the pulp for the paper synthesis. I don't know how this would be cost-effective for the manufacturer of the paper to have their pulp made elsewhere (albeit a major shipping nexus of the Northwest considering its small size and seeming remoteness [the Clearwater is very accessible, but the highways aren't as feasible for shipping]), but for some reason Potlatch has apparently always had a market, 'cause it's going about its business every year.

[baadsheep]

lol I guess that I have been around livestock trucks and oil fields too much I lived there for about a month and didn't notice it..

[teamcoltra]

It smells horrible. Its the paper mill. I was at our Mock Trial regionals one year... I wanted to puke

[shades_of_idaho]

Laughing so hard. I just KNEW this thread would be a good = funny read. Sage good description. We felt it smelled too. I have enjoyed every ones descriptions.

So does Weiser. There can be days and days of onion smell. Depending on which onion processing place you are close to sometimes it smells good. Like Onion rings. Sometimes not so good. you get used to it. No biggie.

Chris

[teamcoltra]

Yeah the locals will typically say "what smell?" :P I think they are just giving the outsiders crap... but I guess after being in the putrid valley... their senses become adapted (retarded -strict definition-?) to the smell.

[skinem]

This isn't word of mouth--it's first hand...

It depends upon the day and the wind. And you do get used to it.

It's not strong enough to knock you down, although it has been known to stagger the weak and infirm...

...and to quote the pig farmer who got complaints from new neighbors in a new subdivision..."It smells like money to me."

[stingraynm]

Originally Posted by skinem

...and to quote the pig farmer who got complaints from new neighbors in a new subdivision..."It smells like money to me."

Very true. Due to its prime shipping location for a great deal of Inland Northwestern lumber and grain, Lewiston would survive without Potlatch, but it would definitely be a sad contrast of what it is with the stinky mill.

[MeInIdaho]

They do, in fact, make paper as well as pulp and other wood products. I think they are the largest private label tissue paper manufacturer in the northwest. They also make paper board used in food production (think milk cartons, french fry boxes, frozen juice containers). I lived in the valley for ten years. Ten smelly, hot, hazy long years. The place reeks!

[stingraynm]

Originally Posted by MeInIdaho

They do, in fact, make paper as well as pulp and other wood products. I think they are the largest private label tissue paper manufacturer in the northwest. They also make paper board used in food production (think milk cartons, french fry boxes, frozen juice containers). I lived in the valley for ten years. Ten smelly, hot, hazy long years. The place reeks!

Cool, thanks. Glad I'm honest about my sources, or I'd look a fool. It really is funny how that topic was debated when I lived in Moscow, but it never actually led anyone to Google and see exactly what they did produce. My dad grew up in Idaho and lived there while I grew up, so when he called it a pulp mill I just took his word for it.

[MeInIdaho]

You were right though, they do ship pulp down river, but they also make lots of paper. From what I understand they are actually doing quite well in this economy. Everyone needs toilet paper, but they don't need high end toilet paper so Potlatch's private label has grown. At one time the company owned its own timberlands and had loggers on the payroll. They got rid of the loggers a very long time ago and a few years ago they separated the land holdings from the paper manufacturing. I think Potlatch itself no longer owns the mill. No matter, that place is a hot stinky mess and I cannot imagine living back in that pit for anything! (Sorry if I offended anyone from the valley but you gotta admit, it's really bad some days).