Potlatch Corporation Announces New Vice President of Public Affairs

Benson, who has been Potlatch's director of public affairs since2004, will have company-wide responsibility for government relations,media and communications, community affairs and public policy issues.Benson will report to President and CEO Michael J. Covey and willrelocate to the company's headquarters in Spokane.

"For more than 29 years, Mark Benson has served Potlatch in adiverse mix of management positions in forestry, timberlandacquisition, manufacturing and public affairs," noted Covey. "His deepknowledge of the company, its communities and policy issues, will beinstrumental in developing and carrying out Potlatch's strategicpublic affairs direction."

Benson first joined Potlatch in 1974 as a field forester. Histenure at Potlatch also has included positions in log acquisition andallocation, strategic planning, mill management and regional publicaffairs.

Potlatch is a real estate investment trust (REIT) with 1.5 millionacres of forestland in Idaho, Minnesota, Arkansas and Oregon. Througha taxable subsidiary, the company also operates 13 manufacturingfacilities that produce lumber and panel products and bleached pulpproducts, including paperboard and tissue products.

This news release contains, in addition to historical information,certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statementsare based on management's best estimates and assumptions regardingfuture events, and are therefore subject to known and unknown risksand uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Thecompany's actual results could differ materially from those expressedor implied by forward-looking statements. The company disclaims anyintent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.