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Safety factors force Weyerhaeuser to ban firearms and hunting on Oregon property

To protect the safety of the visiting public and workers on Weyerhaeuser’s North Spit lagoon property in North Bend…

To protect the safety of the visiting public and workers on Weyerhaeuser’s North Spit lagoon property in North Bend, OR, firearms and hunting will no longer be permitted, effective March 1.
Signs are being posted in highly visible locations on the 445-acre property warning that all shooting activity, including bowhunting, is not allowed.
John Yerke, manager of Weyerhaeuser’s containerboard mill on the site, said because his employees must work in the area to maintain equipment and facilities, they are working in a potentially dangerous place.
"We’re required to provide a safe work environment for our workers," Yerke said. "Working in an area where firearms are being discharged is in conflict. Safety of our employees, including visitors to our property, is our top priority and cannot be compromised."
Weyerhaeuser’s property has been used for firearm target practice for many years, without littering or vandalism issues, Yerke pointed out. Increases in gunfire complaints and firearms sightings prompted mill management to look into the problem, he said. Yerke is unaware of any near miss situations.
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world’s largest integrated forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2002, sales were $18.5 billion. It has offices or operations in 18 countries, with customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products; and real estate construction, development and related activities.