Forest Service Plans to Close Research Facilities Amid Budget Cuts, Sparking Concerns
The U.S. Forest Service has announced a reorganization plan that involves closing numerous research facilities across the country. This decision follows President Trump's 2027 budget proposal, which allocates zero funding for Forest Service research, a significant reduction from the $309 million allocated in 2026. The reorganization aims to achieve fiscal responsibility by consolidating operations and relocating the agency's headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah. The plan also includes closing all nine regional offices. The closures are expected to affect over 229 employees and have raised concerns among scientists and union representatives about the potential loss of critical research capabilities and local partnerships. The Forest Service has denied that the closures are intended to force resignations, suggesting instead that employees will be consolidated into a single location in Colorado.