To: USDA Secretary Rollins
I strongly oppose USDA’s proposal to eliminate the Forest Service’s nine Regional Offices and consolidate six of the seven Research Stations. Regional offices are essential to wildfire preparedness, safety oversight, and local land management—not redundant bureaucracy. This plan would weaken community connections, erode vital scientific research, and worsen staff shortages at a time when the Forest Service is already strained by climate change, wildfire, drought, and growing recreation pressures. I urge USDA to withdraw this proposal and instead work with Congress, Tribes, employees, states, and the public to strengthen—not dismantle—the Forest Service.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
On July 24th, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced plans to reorganize the USFS. Eliminating the nine regional offices, consolidating the science centers, and relocating staff around the country with the intent to reduce numbers, is a bad idea.
What does this move mean? Along with White House efforts to dismantle key environmental protections and its order to boost logging in National Forests by 25% over the next five years, this announcement paints a bleak picture for the employees tasked with caring for our landscapes.
The Forest Service is already strained by significant staff losses, from the loss of many probationary employees, DOGE program cuts, and those employees who opted for the deferred resignation offers. Today’s challenges of wildfire, drought, and climate change require more resources and expertise, not fewer. Read PEER’s analysis here.
The public commenting period on the proposed reorganization closes on September 30!
Click the button at left to sign on to PEER’s comment letter. All signatures collected by PEER will be sent to the USDA on September 30.
