Sweet Home’s rural economy has been hit hard by out-of-town environmental groups for decades, according to Ms. Sanchez.
“We once had 11 operational sawmills that created good paying jobs,” she said. But when the Spotted Owl lawsuits began in the 1980s, they decimated the local timber industry. “Now only three mills remain.” So the town pivoted.
“Since we lost the mills, we’ve turned to tourism to sustain our town’s economy,” Ms. Sanchez continued. “We’ve worked hard to attract people out to recreate on our beautiful rivers, lakes, and trails and use our guide services.”
With the drawdown, business revenues in the town are down by 10 percent, she said. “It’s like a ghost town now,” Sanchez explained. “There’s nowhere for visitors to go. The water is so low that people can’t get to the boat launches to put their boats in the water.”
Rural residents are afraid, she said. “We’ve already lost so much and now we’re worried we’re going to lose this too.”
