Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Research and Analysis Bureau 



The data in Table 3-8 indicates that both Deer Lodge and Granite Counties have had an increase 

 in unemployment while Powell County had a net decrease. Employment data by county and 

 major employer were not available for either Granite or Powell Counties from the Department of 

 Labor and Industry. Both counties support a sawmill along with the associated logging industry. 

 Granite County, where the sale is proposed, supports a mill which produces approximately 15 

 MMBF of lumber. There is also a mill in Powell County which is substantially larger, 143 

 MMBF of lumber production, but somewhat less stable. The current owners put the mill up for 

 sale approximately one year ago. While they have an offer from a local party the sale has not 

 been completed yet. In addition to the sawmills and logging community there are several smaller 

 custom sawmills and two active post and pole operations located in Granite County. 



Table 3-9 provides a general comparison of average wages, on a statewide basis, for various 

 industries of the six major areas described, lumber and wood products ranks third. 



Visual 



Upper Willow Creek is a relatively narrow valley, which combines wide-open grassland, dense 

 lodgepole pine forests and on south facing slopes occasional stands of Douglas fir and ponderosa 

 pine. Upper Willow Creek flows from north to south joining Rock Creek at Gillis Bridge. Here 

 the valley is dominated by grassland with occasional Douglas fir and lodgepole pine located in 

 side draws and on more northerly exposures. Approximately 2 miles up stream. Spring Creek 

 joins Upper Willow Creek. Grassland continues to dominate the east side of the drainage while 

 of timber increases along the west side. 



Most early logging within the drainage occurred between Scotchman and Miners Gulch. Much 

 of this early logging has regenerated and is visible from the county road, which closely follows 

 Upper Willow Creek. The west side of the valley is dominated by hay fields and ranch houses. 



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