Oppose Workforce Reductions at our Public Land Management Agencies!
Urge Montana’s Congressional Delegation to Intervene with the Trump Administration
U.S. federal land management agencies were subject to significant workforce reductions on February 14, affecting approximately 3,400 probationary Forest Service employees, 1,000 National Park Service staff nationwide, 420 US. Fish and Wildlife Service employees, as well as employees from other agencies, representing a loss of more than 10% of all staff at our public land management agencies. Unfortunately, there is a another threat looming. Additional cuts to the workforce are likely coming due to a Reduction in Force (RIF) that the agencies were required to submit by March 13. In our local community, major staffing reductions have occurred in the Flathead National Forest (around 40 employees terminated) and Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (38 employees terminated), including entire trail crews, Red Card holders qualified to fight wildfire, and recreation management personnel. These employees are essential for public land access, performing crucial tasks like trail maintenance, bridge upkeep, road and campground operations, firefighting, and emergency response.
Since then, two federal judges have ruled that these firings were illegal, and ordered that the positions must be reinstated immediately. President Trump is currently challenging that ruling, asking the Supreme Court to halt the judge's order to rehire probationary federal workers. While some positions have already been restored, many of these public servants are still waiting to be reinstated. Time is of the essence, as hiring, training, and on-boarding at these agencies can take months. Furthermore, some employees have already left their positions voluntarily due to the deferred resignation program, or moved on to new jobs. Land management agencies are facing a staffing crisis that could potentially get even worse.
These public servants have expertly managed our natural resources, and their departure will have substantial, immediate, and lasting consequences. The loss affects not only the individuals who have lost their positions and career paths, but also raises serious concerns about the future of public land management.
Read more about the harmful effects that these staffing cuts will have on our public lands and their dedicated stewards in this insightful op-ed written by GTMA board member Frank Vitale.
Our public lands and the professionals who protect and manage them need our support now!
Contact Montana’s Congressional Delegation
Urge them to work with the Trump Administration to restore the workforce at our public lands management agencies. See our suggested comments.U.S. Senator Steve Daines
Washington, DC Office
320 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2604
202-224-2651
https://www.daines.senate.gov/contact/
U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy
Washington, DC Office
G55 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-2644
https://www.sheehy.senate.gov/
U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke
Washington, DC Office
512 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-2601
202-225-5628
https://zinke.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact
U.S. Representative Troy Downing
Washington, DC Office
1529 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-3211
https://downing.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact/email-me
If you do not live in Montana, you can still contact Montana’s Congressional Delegation with your concerns. We encourage you to also contact your personal House or Senate member.
Suggested Comments
Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance suggests you include the following in your comments:
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- Express your love for Glacier National Park, the Badger-Two Medicine, and other national forest lands, as well as for the hardworking public servants of the Park Service and Forest Service who dedicate their careers to serving the American people by managing these special places.
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- Explain that you want to see these treasured places protected and managed well, which requires sufficient staff and adequate resources to do so.
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- Remind them that Glacier National Park, which anticipates over 3 million visitors this year, can’t function effectively without staff. Without these essential workers, the park will have to curtail services, park staff will be overwhelmed (further straining the agency and the park), and park resources will suffer.
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- Remind them that Forest Service staff maintain trails and recreation facilities, manage invasive species, conduct timber or other resource surveys, fight fires, and protect natural and cultural resources. Without sufficient staff, it will be harder for people to access their public lands, and the health of the forest will suffer.
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- Tell them that the US Fish and Wildlife Service staff are essential for conserving and protecting fish, wildlife, and their habitats, including endangered species and migratory birds. Without enough of these important stewards, our treasured wildlife and their habitats will suffer.
- Tell them that the US Fish and Wildlife Service staff are essential for conserving and protecting fish, wildlife, and their habitats, including endangered species and migratory birds. Without enough of these important stewards, our treasured wildlife and their habitats will suffer.
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- Visitors to Glacier or our national forests drive the outdoor recreation economy that our local communities depend on. The layoffs will have socially and economically devastating ripple effects if people don’t visit or have negative experiences.
Thank you for taking action.
Questions? Want more information? Please email Peter Metcalf at peter@glaciertwomedicine.org