Forest Service Reorganization

Fact: The Forest service is not shutting down any of its experimental forests and ranges. They are important assets to the Forest Service and the broader science community, and research on them will continue. We have proposed to close select facilities at some experimental forests, often facilities that are under-utilized or vacant. The closure of facilities on experimental forests will not affect the ability to conduct research at these locations.

Fact: The Forest Service has approximately 30,000 employees, and only around 500 are expected to need to relocate, mostly from the Washington, D.C., office. Employees whose positions are relocated will receive information about their options, which may include:

• relocating to another local office within their commuting area;

• relocating to Salt Lake City, Fort Collins, or a newly established service center;

• exploring other available positions within the agency;

• considering other federal opportunities; or

• retirement or other separation decisions.

The Forest Service recognizes that relocation or separation decisions are significant. Employees will have the time, resources, and support needed to fully evaluate their options throughout the transition.

Fact: This is not part of the plan and has never been discussed. All federal authorities remain fully intact. No authorities are being shifted, reduced, or transferred. The reorganization does not change any of these authorities.

Fact: State directors will be filled exclusively by career federal employees. These positions are being created to bring leadership closer to the work and ensure the right span of control over forests and programs. They include the same line authority needed to operate effectively, and those authorities are not being diminished.

Fact: The reorganization does not eliminate scientific positions, cancel research programs, or reduce our national research footprint. In many locations, “closure” refers only to individual buildings currently housing small teams. Staff and programs will continue their work, relocated into fewer facilities while maintaining research presence across the country.

Fact: This effort is about moving capacity where it is needed most: in the field. Our forests and districts urgently need additional staffing and decision authority to better serve the public and care for our forests and grasslands. Moving our headquarters west and establishing a state‑based model will bring senior leadership and staffing capacity closer to the majority of the 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands we manage, and to the communities confronting wildfire risk, forest health challenges, and growing recreation demand. We support our employees, especially those who may be asked to move, and will help them make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

Fact: The Forest Service’s facilities footprint is extensive and significantly larger than can be supported under current congressional appropriations, which are declining for facilities — approximately $37 million less in FY 2026 compared to FY 2025. Deferred maintenance has grown to $3 billion, and retaining a footprint we cannot adequately maintain would not be responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. To operate efficiently and to invest in safe, functional workspaces for employees, the Forest Service must reduce its overall facilities footprint. This approach ensures resources are directed to the locations and buildings that best support mission delivery and long‑term sustainability. Additionally, it's important to note that staffing and facilities are funded separately, and closing a facility does not mean the work stops. In many cases staff will move to another local facility, service center, or forest office. This reorganization is focused on rebuilding staff capacity at the field level to deliver the work that builds forest health and improves visitor services.