DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,858

WETSEL-OVIATT LUMBER COMPANY
EL DORADO HILLS, CALIFORNIA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of its investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either
paragraph (a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act
must be met. It is determined in this case that the requirements
of (a)(2)(A) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on September 15, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers at Wetsel-Oviatt Lumber Company, El Dorado Hills,
California. The workers produce softwood dimensional lumber.
The investigation revealed that the subject facility ceased
production in October 2003 and all workers were separated.
The Department of Labor conducted a survey of the subject
firm's major declining customer regarding their purchases of
softwood dimensional lumber in 2001, 2002, January-August 2002
and January-August 2003. The survey revealed increased import
purchases, or increased reliance on imports, during periods of
decreased purchases from the subject firm.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility
requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements of
Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or
over and possess skills that are not easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with softwood dimensional lumber
produced at Wetsel-Oviatt Lumber Company, El Dorado Hills,
California contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or production
and at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Wetsel-Oviatt Lumber Company, El Dorado
Hills, California who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after August 25, 2002 through two
years from the date of certification are eligible to apply
for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade
Act of 1974, and are also eligible to apply for alternative
trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of the Trade
Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 22nd day of October 2003.

/s/ Richard Church
_______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance