The U.S. Forest Service is closing 23 research stations across more than a dozen states as part of a broader reorganization under President Donald Trump aimed at cutting costs and shifting resources to Western states, officials announced Thursday.
The closures will affect 95 employees, who Forest Service Communications Director Chad Douglas said will be relocated to other sites within their existing commuting areas. The agency described the affected facilities as understaffed.
The closures, combined with previously announced plans to shut regional offices in Atlanta, Milwaukee and Portland, are projected to save approximately $16 million. The reorganization also includes moving the agency's headquarters from Washington to Salt Lake City.
Forest Service Associate Chief Chris French said the overhaul's primary goal was to "get our facilities costs under control." French stated the agency is "not closing any ongoing science activities" or "experimental forests" that researchers rely on.
The scientific work performed by Forest Service employees includes studies on invasive species, protecting water resources and how wildfires are changing as climate change dries out forests.
An additional 41 research facilities that had faced closure will now remain open following concerns raised by local officials and members of Congress about the reorganization, which was initially announced in March.
Bill Avey of the National Association of Forest Service Retirees acknowledged the Forest Service has long struggled to pay for its facilities. Avey, who worked for the service for four decades, said consolidation opportunities do exist within the agency.
But Avey criticized current leaders, including Chief Tom Schultz, for not more vocally defending forest research. He said Schultz "should be doing a much better job of pushing back and justifying and explaining some of the research work."
Avey also said the 41 facilities now being retained would likely have closed without pressure from his group and other concerned parties.
