Amid concerns over federal employee cuts, towns in forested areas of Northern California are anxious about the potential impact of these changes on local economies tied to recreation and tourism. Local leaders emphasize that small reductions in federal employment have larger repercussions, especially in smaller, rural communities. The divide within Siskiyou County regarding federal management has been exacerbated by the designation of national monuments and debates over environmental protections versus private industry growth, reflecting a complex relationship between local economies and federal policies.
"Things are magnified in a small community," said Tonya Dowse, executive director of the Siskiyou Economic Development Council, highlighting the significant effects of federal employment on small towns.
Longtime resentment over Forest Service management and the decline of the timber industry have split the county, with differing opinions on federal protections and management.
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