EXHIBIT 99.1


                            OREGON STEEL MILLS, INC.
                                Portland, Oregon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             July 31, 2003
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Contact: Vicki Tagliafico
         (503) 240-5226


        JIM DECLUSIN NAMED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF OREGON STEEL MILLS

Portland, Oregon, July 31, 2003, 2003/Business Wire/--Oregon Steel Mills Inc.
(NYSE: OS) announces that Jim Declusin has been appointed President and Chief
Executive Officer by its Board of Directors. He succeeds Joe Corvin who resigned
effective today.

Mr. Declusin has over thirty years of experience in the steel industry. He
retired from California Steel Industries (CSI) as Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer in 2000. Prior to joining CSI, Mr. Declusin spent
seventeen years with Kaiser Steel Corporation. Mr. Declusin has been a director
of Oregon Steel Mills since 2000.

William Swindells, Chairman of Oregon Steel Mills, commented, "Jim's experience
in the steel industry and knowledge of Oregon Steel Mills will allow for a
smooth transition. The board believes that Jim has the skills and leadership to
guide the Company forward."

Mr. Swindells continued, "I have the utmost confidence in Jim's ability to meet
the challenges and complexities of today's steel industry."

Consistent with the revised New York Stock Exchange listing standards recently
approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Oregon Steel Mills, Inc.
stated that Mr. Declusin will receive an inducement award of 40,000 shares of
common stock. One-half of the stock vests immediately and one-half vests in one
year.


Oregon Steel Mills, Inc. is organized into two divisions. The Oregon Steel
Division produces steel plate, coil and welded pipe from plants located in
Portland, Oregon, Napa, California and Camrose, Alberta, Canada. The Rocky
Mountain Steel Mills Division, located in Pueblo, Colorado, produces steel rail,
rod, bar, and tubular products.