Hysterical Media Are Lying About Forest Service Reorganization
An article by chris Bray in The federalist argues that reports of the U.S. Forest Service being “gutted” are overstated and reflects a reorganization rather than a dissolution. Key points include:
– The piece critiques a New Yorker story that claimed the Forest Service was being gutted ahead of wildfire season, noting it fails to quantify budget cuts or staffing reductions.
– The Forest Service is undergoing a reorganization that moves its national headquarters from Washington, D.C., to utah and replaces large regional headquarters with state offices, with the aim of bringing management closer to the forests. Detailed descriptions and office changes are linked in the article.
– The reorganization is debatable and its effects remain to be seen,but it is framed as a restructuring,not a gutting.
– The National Association of State Foresters offered cautious optimism,supporting a transition to a state-based organizational model while acknowledging questions and stakeholder feedback.
– Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed support for the reorganization, highlighting benefits of locating a Forest Service presence in the state.
– On wildfire funding, the article notes the federal wildfire budget is rising (e.g., $6.35 billion in FY 2024 and $6.7 billion in FY 2026) and that firefighter salaries have been improving, challenging the claim of diminished capacity.
– The Federalist invites a response from the Forest Service to the charge of being gutted and indicates the story will be updated with their reply.
– The piece ends with a bio of author Chris Bray, a senior correspondent for The federalist, and provides links to related articles and tags.
In short, the article contends that the Forest Service is reorganizing-moving headquarters, shifting toward state offices, and not experiencing a net cut in budget or capabilities-while inviting official clarification on the controversy.
In a ludicrous news story this week, The New Yorker writes about “the gutting of the Forest Service,” and warns that the supposed “gutting” is happening right before wildfire season. If you read the story for yourself, look for numbers: budget reductions, slashed staffing. Spoiler alert: You won’t find any of that. A story about something being “gutted” makes no effort to quantify the claim.
In fact, the Trump administration is reorganizing the Forest Service, starting by moving its national headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Utah, the heart of the Western lands that the service largely manages. The plan also replaces large regional headquarters with state offices, moving the management of public lands closer to the actual forests. You can read a detailed description of the changes, with a list of offices that are closing and a list of the offices that will replace them, here. The reorganization is debatable, and its effects have yet to be seen, but the Forest Service isn’t being “gutted.” It’s being reorganized.
In an example of a good sign, the National Association of State Foresters released a statement last week expressing cautious optimism about the reorganization: “The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) supports the transition to a state-based organizational model that continues to serve all lands. … While the restructuring plan raises many questions, we appreciate that it reflects feedback from State Foresters and other stakeholders.”
Similarly, the Democrat governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, has expressed support for the reorganization: “Colorado is known for our outdoor spaces and nation-leading research institutions that are strengthening our forests and public lands, so it only makes sense that the U.S. Forest Service would include a location in our great state.” The New Yorker warns that the Forest Service is being “gutted,” while the governor of a state with significant National Forest land has warm things to say about the improvement of federal forest management. Go figure.
As for the implied wildfire threat, you can read a detailed line-item description of the federal wildfire budget here. It’s going up, not down: $6.35 billion in FY 2024, $6.7 billion in FY 2026. Firefighter salaries are improving after a long period of stagnation that made it harder to fill federal wildfire jobs. This is not “gutting.”
Debate is fine. Stop listening to hysterical fake news. The Federalist has asked the Forest Service for a response to the stupid claim that the organization is being “gutted,” with a supposed increase in wildfire risks. This story will be updated when they reply.
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