Note 9 - Asset Retirement Obligations

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2015

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block]

9. Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. The Company continues to depreciate, on a straight-line basis, the amount added to property, plant and equipment and recognizes accretion expense in connection with the discounted liability over the various remaining lives which range from approximately six to twenty-nine years.

A rollforward of the Company’s asset retirement liability is as follows (in thousands):

	February 28, 2015
Beginning balance as of August 30, 2014	$	11,675
Accretion expense		316
Effect of exchange rate changes		(480	)
Ending balance as of February 28, 2015	$	11,511

The Company’s asset retirement obligations are included in long-term accrued liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.