To the Editor:

Your article in the Sept. 7 edition titled, “Homestead suit nears

court date,” accurately reflected our policy of declining to comment on

pending litigation. Unfortunately, perhaps because we failed to join the Fioritos

in litigating our case in the press, your article includes substantial

inaccuracies. For the record:

• In response to local public concern about landslides and

reclamation problems pertaining to the Fiorito Bros.’ mine site, Weyerhaeuser

Company entered into a lease with Fiorito Bros. in 1992 to help them

reclaim their Homestead site. The Fioritos assured both Weyerhaeuser

Company and King County that the reclamation would be completed by 1999.

They have not fulfilled their obligation.

• The term of the lease between Weyerhaeuser and Fiorito Bros.

expired on May 31, 1999. Weyerhaeuser offered to renew the lease if

Fiorito would complete reclamation within the next three years, but Fiorito Bros.

refused.

• Despite the fact that the lease expired, Fiorito Bros. has refused to

vacate the premises and, in fact, has continued to operate on

Weyerhaeuser property and remove material from Weyerhaeuser’s property.

Accordingly, following notice to Fiorito, Weyerhaeuser commenced an

unlawful detainer action against Fiorito Bros., which will be tried

beginning Sept. 18, 2000.

• Weyerhaeuser has been advised that Fiorito Bros. has operated

without the required governmental permits, and that governmental

enforcement actions have been undertaken against Fiorito Bros. pertaining to their

operations.

• Weyerhaeuser Company requires all its leasees to fully comply with

the law. Government regulations, and public expectations, pertaining

to gravel operations have changed considerably in recent

years. Weyerhaeuser has implemented measures to insure that all our lessees

operate within the applicable rules and regulations in the future.

• Contrary to Fiorito Bros.’ claims, the property previously leased

to Fiorito Bros. is not leased to Cadman Inc. and is not part of the

proposed North Bend Gravel Operation.

Thank you for providing the rest of the story.

Grant R. Newport

Manager, Weyerhaeuser Mineral Resources

(Editor’s note: The Valley Record stands by the story, which

accurately depicted the Fioritos’ concerns with the lawsuit. Since Weyerhauser

representatives would not comment, the Record was not able to publish

their remarks about the suit.)