18,500 Acres in Wolf River Area of Langlade County to be Permanently Conserved.

TOMAHAWK, Wis. -- Plum Creek Timber Company (NYSE:PCL) today announced that more than 18,500 acres of property near Wolf River in eastern Langlade County has been permanently conserved through a conversation easement with the State of Wisconsin. The property, which covers nearly 29 square miles, is valued for the recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat it provides.

A closing ceremony recognizing the land transaction was held today on the property, which is south of the town of Lily. Those participating with Plum Creek officials in the ceremony included Governor Jim Doyle, and representatives from the Trust for Public Land, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Ice Age Trail Foundation.

The Wolf River area is important to both recreationalists and conservationists who will continue to use the land for hunting, fishing, hiking, bird watching and other outdoor activities. It includes frontage on the banks of Nine Mile Creek and the Lily River. It also includes Tyra Lake and a six-mile segment of the Ice Age Trail, which follows the path of the last glacier that cut through Wisconsin thousands of years ago. The land also borders the state's Wolf River Fishery area for several miles, providing an important buffer, which will protect this spectacular landscape.

The acquisition will take place over two years. Approximately 10,700 acres will be purchased this year in the first phase and approximately 7,800 acres will be purchased in the second phase in 2006.

"Plum Creek is pleased to partner with the State of Wisconsin, Trust for Public Land and others to permanently protect the Wolf River area," said Rick Holley, president and chief executive officer. "Through this conservation partnership, the people of Wisconsin will continue to benefit from the many attributes of this land for years to come."

"With the help of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, this purchase ensures that this land will forever remain a working, sustainably-managed forest," said Governor Jim Doyle. "For generations, citizens have depended on Wisconsin's great natural resources -- for industry and jobs, for the health of our ecosystems, and for recreation. And I'm pleased that with the cooperation of Plum Creek, the Trust for Public Land, and others, we have worked together to protect Wisconsin's forests, and all that they contain, for the enjoyment of generations to come."

"Wisconsin's forestlands are the lifeblood of our great state. They provide us with clean air and water, vital fish and wildlife habitat, countless recreational opportunities, and a supply of natural resources that boost our economy and create jobs," said Congressman Mark Green (8th Congressional District). "That's precisely why we must take steps now to responsibly manage our forests for future generations. The transfer of this land along the Wolf River lets us do just that, and I was glad to play a role in securing federal dollars to help make it happen."

"By helping preserve the Wolf River area we are taking steps to ensure that future generations of Wisconsinites will be able to enjoy this beautiful and scenic region for years to come," said United States Sen. Herb Kohl.

"We applaud Sens. Kohl and (Russ) Feingold and Reps. Green and (Dave) Obey for their leadership in securing critical federal Forest Legacy Program funding for the Wolf River project," said Alan Front, senior vice president for the Trust for Public Land. "We also want to thank Governor Doyle for his support and efforts to bring essential state funding to the project. With these funds, and with the public-spirited commitment of Plum Creek in making these lands available for conservation, a win-win solution for the Wolf River is now a reality."

Plum Creek owns and manages more than approximately 500,000 acres of timberland in Wisconsin, and participates in a number of land conservation initiatives in the United States.

Plum Creek is one of the largest private timberland owners in the nation, with approximately 8 million acres of timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and 10 wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest.