Impact on USFS

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From my inbox:
The proposed reorganization of the US Department of Agriculture could have a devastating impact on the US Forest Service.

Plans are to consolidate its nine regional offices (six of which are currently located in the West) into five hub locations, with only two located in the West.

Specifics as to why this is being done, what will happen to regional positions, and how this will impact our forests will not be provided until after the comment period has ended.

We do know that Trump plans to crank up the annual cut to 4 billion board-feet by 2028, bypassing Federal protections by declaring an “emergency."

The Trump administration has also announced plans to consolidate all federal wildfire fighting duties under the Interior Department. "This would completely zero out the Forest Service’s $2.4 billion wildland fire management budget, sowing even more confusion and chaos," according to High Country News.

The Methow Valley Citizen's Council also reports that the 100-year-old Pacific Northwest Research Station in Portland, along with five other research stations, would be closed and consolidated in Fort Collins, CO, far away from the forests they are researching.

These critical decisions will be made by individuals who are far removed from our Pacific Northwest forests.

Please send your comments through September 30, 2025 to reorganization@usda.gov.