US Forest Service and National Park Service to Lay Off Thousands of Workers

John Hawk Insunrated – The US Forest Service and the National Park Service (NPS) are laying off thousands of workers as part of a broader push to cut federal spending. The layoffs are a result of President Donald Trump’s goal to reduce bureaucracy within government agencies. These cuts primarily target employees who are still in their probationary period, meaning workers who have been employed for less than a year.

Impact on National Parks and Forests

The layoffs will have significant effects on national parks and forests across the country. Sites like the Appalachian Trail, Yellowstone, Sequoia National Forest, and the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. will be impacted by these cuts. The US Forest Service is eliminating around 3,400 recent hires, and the National Park Service is terminating about 1,000 workers.

These cuts represent roughly 10% of the Forest Service workforce and about 5% of the National Park Service’s employees. However, firefighters, law enforcement personnel, certain meteorologists, and 5,000 seasonal workers are exempt from the layoffs.

Concerns from Conservation Groups

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has expressed concern over these cuts. The NPCA warned that staffing levels in national parks have not kept pace with growing demands. In 2023, national parks received over 325 million visits, a 13 million increase from the previous year.

Theresa Pierno, NPCA’s president, emphasized that staffing reductions of this magnitude would have devastating consequences. Visitors to national parks could now face uncleaned bathrooms, overflowing trash, and fewer rangers available for guidance.

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Frozen Federal Grants and Funding Issues

The cuts come at a time when the National Park Service was already struggling with a freeze on federal grants. The White House’s Office of Management and Budget issued an order pausing federal grants in late January, although it was rescinded two days later. The administration is still re-evaluating this decision, leaving many programs in limbo.

Kristen Brengel, NPCA’s senior vice-president of government affairs, warned that these funding delays could harm the visitor experience. National Park visitors from around the world may now have to contend with reduced services and fewer amenities during their visits.

Wider Impact on Federal Agencies

The cuts are part of a broader effort to trim the federal workforce. About 280,000 federal employees were hired in the last two years, with most still on probation. This makes them more vulnerable to layoffs, according to government data.

In addition to the effects on national parks, the cuts are also impacting vital wildfire mitigation programs. The US Forest Service and other agencies are freezing hiring for seasonal firefighters. This comes after devastating fires in Los Angeles, which could become the costliest in US history.

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The Fallout on Wildfire Prevention Programs

The federal funding freeze has also led to the suspension of contracts for wildfire prevention programs. One example is the Lomakatsi Restoration Project, a non-profit based in Oregon. They had contracts with federal agencies like the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to reduce hazardous fuels in Oregon, California, and Idaho. The funding freeze has affected more than 30 grants and agreements, disrupting their ongoing work.

Marko Bey, the project’s executive director, wrote to Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, explaining the severe impact of the funding freeze. The delays in wildfire mitigation efforts could exacerbate risks in wildfire-prone areas.

Firefighter Shortages and Recruitment Issues

The staffing cuts also contribute to an ongoing recruitment and retention problem among federal firefighters. Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, an advocacy group, has pointed out that the hiring freeze will make it even harder to recruit the hundreds of seasonal firefighters typically needed to prepare for the summer fire season.

Riva Duncan, vice president of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, explained that the freeze will worsen the already challenging recruitment situation. This could have serious implications for the country’s ability to combat wildfires in the coming months.

As the federal government continues to evaluate its spending and workforce, the consequences of these layoffs and funding freezes will have far-reaching effects on national parks, forests, and the nation’s preparedness for natural disasters. The situation remains fluid, with advocates calling for the restoration of essential services and staffing levels.