The Trump administration will continue the reorganization of the Forest Service

The administration's plan involves relocating the Forest Service headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Salt Lake City, closing 23 research stations, and eliminating many regional offices to replace them with state liaison offices. These changes are part of a broader USDA overhaul affecting nutrition programs, rural development, and other areas.

Implementation of the plan is currently on hold pursuant to a ruling by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in California, issued on October 13 in a lawsuit brought by federal employee unions, environmental groups, and local officials. The judge noted that the reorganization could force thousands of employees to choose between relocating to another state and resigning, and that the administration likely violated congressional funding restrictions. Nevertheless, the ruling is already being appealed, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins reaffirmed the agency's commitment to the plans during a press conference call.

Administration officials argue that the reshuffle will cut costs and focus resources in Western states, where nearly 90% of national forest lands are located. Opponents of the reorganization fear downsizing and the loss of experienced personnel. According to government sources, Forest Service staffing under Trump has already dropped by about 16%—from more than 39,000 to 33,000 people.

In addition, the administration plans to transfer the Forest Service's wildfire fighting functions to a new federal agency, the Wildland Fire Service, although Congress has blocked this decision so far. Earlier, as a concession, authorities announced that 41 research facilities among those slated for closure would remain operational, but nearly two dozen stations are still planned to be closed.