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ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE LIABILITIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]  
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE LIABILITIES ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE LIABILITIES
Federal and state environmental laws in our operating areas hold current and former property owners liable for cleanup or restoration. These laws often impose “strict liability,” meaning owners or operators didn’t necessarily cause, and may not have even been aware of, the release of contaminated materials. Similarly, certain environmental laws allow state, federal, and tribal trustees (collectively, the “Trustees”) to bring suit against property owners for natural resource damages (“NRD”) resulting from releases of contaminants on or from their property, regardless of culpability for the release. Like cleanup liability, NRD liability can attach to property due to such contamination.
Changes in environmental and NRD liabilities from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025 are shown below:
Port Gamble, WA
Non-current portion at December 31, 2024
$3,610
Plus: Current portion4,283
Total Balance at December 31, 2024
7,893
Expenditures charged to liabilities(4,370)
Increase in liabilities5,747
Total Balance at December 31, 2025
9,270
Less: Current portion(3,181)
Non-current portion at December 31, 2025
$6,089
We periodically examine whether the contingent liabilities related to the environmental matters described above are probable and reasonably estimable based on experience and ongoing developments in those matters, including continued study and analysis of ongoing remediation obligations. During the year ended December 31, 2025, with the assistance of independent environmental consultants and taking into consideration inflation, investigation and remediation actions previously completed, new information available during the period and ongoing discussions with the Trustees, we completed a comprehensive long-term analysis and cost assessment related to our ongoing environmental remediation and NRD obligations. As a result of this analysis, we increased the accrual for environmental and NRD liabilities by $5.7 million, which are recorded on an undiscounted basis.

Upland mill site cleanup activities have been completed, and we anticipate that NRD restoration will be completed within the next year. Monitoring activities associated with the Port Gamble Bay, mill site, and landfills will continue for an additional 15 to 20 years. NRD costs are subject to change as the restoration projects progress. It is reasonably possible that these components of the liability may increase as construction continues. Management continues to monitor the Port Gamble cleanup process and will make adjustments as needed. Should any future circumstances result in a change to the estimated cost of the project, we will record an appropriate adjustment to the liability in the period it becomes known and when we can reasonably estimate the amount. For further information on the timing and amount of future payments related to our environmental remediation liabilities, see Note 11 — Commitments.
We do not currently anticipate any material loss in excess of the amounts accrued; however, we are not able to estimate a possible loss or range of loss, if any, in excess of the established liabilities. Our future remediation expenses may be affected by a number of uncertainties including, but not limited to, the difficulty in estimating the extent and method of remediation, the evolving nature of environmental regulations, and the availability and application of technology. We do not expect the resolution of such uncertainties to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or liquidity.