The U.S. Forest Service is undergoing a significant reorganization that has sparked controversy among scientists and unions. The agency announced plans to close numerous research facilities, including the one in Baltimore, which has been instrumental in supporting local initiatives like Camp Small, a wood recycling facility that turns dead trees into valuable products.
The reorganization comes amidst a budget proposal for 2027 that allocates $0 for Forest Service research, a drastic reduction from the $309 million allocated in 2026. This has raised concerns about the future of the agency’s research programs and their impact on national forests and grasslands.
The Proposed Reorganization and Its Implications
The Forest Service’s reorganization plan includes the closure of over 100 facilities, affecting 229 employees. The agency’s chief, Tom Schultz, stated that the changes aim to achieve fiscal responsibility and bring employees closer to the land they manage. However, critics argue that the plan may have unintended consequences.
One of the most contentious aspects of the reorganization is the proposal to move the agency’s headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah, and close all 10 regional offices. This move has raised concerns about the loss of local expertise and the disruption of ongoing research projects.
The Impact on Local Partnerships and Research
The closure of research facilities could have a significant impact on local partnerships and research projects. For instance, the Baltimore research facility has been crucial in supporting Camp Small, a wood recycling facility that has become a model for other cities. The facility’s manager, Shaun Preston, credited the Forest Service’s research support for the success of the program.
Scientists have also expressed concerns about the disruption of long-term research projects. Dr. Morgan Grove, a Forest Service scientist who supported Camp Small, noted that moving research projects to new locations could disrupt the study of oak trees in Baltimore, which require decades to grow and cannot be easily transplanted.
The Cost of Closures and Relocations
The Forest Service’s plan to close research facilities and relocate employees has raised questions about the cost-effectiveness of the reorganization. Internal documents reviewed by NPR reveal that the agency already owns most of the facilities it is proposing to shutter, and the cost of maintaining these buildings is relatively low compared to other assets.
For example, the Forest Service pays a one-time fee of $1 to rent a 30,000-acre lot in Hilo, Hawaii, for 65 years. In contrast, the agency has proposed moving researchers to a building in Fort Collins, Colorado, which costs $1 million a year in rent. This has led to criticism that the reorganization plan lacks a thorough cost-benefit analysis.
The Union’s Response and Legal Concerns
The National Federation of Federal Employees, the union representing Forest Service employees, has argued that the proposed reorganization violates a law that requires advance notification and approval by House and Senate appropriations committees. The union is currently negotiating with Forest Service leadership but has expressed concerns about the potential loss of jobs and the disruption of research programs.
Scientists have also raised concerns about the long-term impact of the reorganization on the agency’s research capabilities. The Forest Service’s research network is the largest in the world, and its work is crucial for managing national forests, preventing wildfires, and preserving green spaces in cities. The proposed cuts to research funding and the closure of facilities could have significant consequences for these efforts.
As the Forest Service moves forward with its reorganization plan, the debate over its potential impact on research and local partnerships continues. The agency’s decision to prioritize fiscal responsibility over research funding has raised concerns about the future of its scientific programs and their role in managing the nation’s forests and grasslands.
