TICONDEROGA, N.Y. International Paper is selling most of its vast Adirondack land holdings to Lyme Timber Company of Hanover, New Hampshire.

The sale is part of I-P's plan to get out of the logging business.

The paper company has signed an agreement with Lyme Timber for the sale of 275-thousand acres of Adirondack forestland for 137 (m) million dollars. I-P spokeswoman Amy Sawyer said the sale will close in June or early July.

Under the agreement, Lyme Timber will provide wood to I-P's Ticonderoga paper mill for 20 years. Also as part of the deal, the woodlands must continue to be sustainably managed.

The sale will also include the 257-thousand acres of conservation easements reached between I-P and the State Department of Environmental Conservation two years ago.

Thomas Morrow of Lyme Timber says the company is committed to completing the agreements reached between I-P and the state to sell working-forest conservation easements.

The sale represents almost all of I-P's land holdings in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Saratoga, Saint Lawrence, Warren and Washington counties.

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