Over the last few weeks, the current administration fired more than 5,000 federal employees within the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service (totaling 10% of the USFS staff). The firings were done without regard for staff roles or performance, but rather targeted individuals with "probationary status" who were hired or switched federal jobs within the last year and veterans hired through non-competitive processes within the last two years.
This is a devastating blow to the ability of the federal government to soundly manage our public lands and natural resources. For decades, public land management agencies have suffered from skeletonized staff and reduced capacity to do restoration projects, maintain vital infrastructure, and provide emergency response – this action will severely exacerbate this issue. These are not government agencies that are fat with bureaucratic waste. It did not make sense!
Why you should care: You’ll soon see the results of these tragic cuts – trails and roads in disrepair, trash-strewn campgrounds, reduced wildfire resiliency, and a staggering blow to the stewardship of our fish and wildlife resources.
We also can’t speak of these cuts without mentioning the terrible impacts of these firings on the public servants at these agencies – and their families – who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding our shared public resources.
This announcement follows news from last year that the USFS will be unable to hire non-fire seasonal employees due to a budget shortfall. Lawmakers have sought to underfund and short-staff these agencies in an attempt to promote the transfer or privatization of our public lands. These public servants are a critical part of ensuring our public lands legacy continues for current and future generations.