"The restructuring has been characterized by many nonprofit groups, including Protect Our Winters, The Wilderness Society, and The Sierra Club, as an attempt to critically weaken the Forest Service, paving the way for the transfer of federal lands."
"Moving the headquarters and closing the regional offices requires thousands of experienced employees to make a painful choice between relocation and resignation."
"Under the reorganization, research efforts by the Forest Service will be consolidated into just a small handful of sites, the largest located in Colorado."
"The Forest Service stated on its website, 'staff and programs will continue their work, relocated into fewer facilities while maintaining research presence across the country.'"
On March 31, 2026, the U.S. Forest Service announced a significant restructuring, relocating its headquarters to Salt Lake City and closing nine regional offices along with 57 research stations. This shift to a state-based model will replace regional foresters with 15 state directors. Employees face difficult choices regarding relocation or resignation. The consolidation threatens the Forest Service's extensive research network, with efforts to maintain research presence despite reduced facilities. Firefighting operations will remain unchanged for the upcoming season, with plans to integrate firefighters into the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
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