Overview
- The Forest Service detailed a nationwide reorganization that moves its headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, which it says will cut duplication and link science to decisions faster.
- The plan closes 57 of 77 research facilities across 31 states and runs the remaining work through a single research station in Fort Collins, Colorado.
- All nine regional offices will be replaced by six operations centers in Albuquerque, Athens, Fort Collins, Madison, Missoula, and Placerville.
- California will lose six research sites in Anderson, Fresno, Chico, Fort Bragg, Mount Shasta, and Hat Creek.
- USDA says relocations will roll out in phases with support for workers, while forest spokespeople expect no change to district offices or wildfire response and public land advocates warn the shift could drain staff and weaken local land management and research.