As a former Bureau of Land Management employee, I went through the wringer of government downsizing and reorganization at least once every four years for the 12 years I worked for them. My colleagues at the BLM were among the most dedicated individuals I’ve ever had the privilege to work with and I’ve seen the same from my colleagues in the Forest Service and the National Park Service. So I’ve watched with a lot of pain as the current round of firings hit these people and their agencies.
Here are a few examples of what we’re losing:
In Tahoe National Forest, 21 of the staff of 200 were fired.
• One was a timber harvest inspector who had just received the highest score in the region on the sale administration exam. This means timber sales will be delayed or ended, impacting companies and communities who rely on them for jobs.
• Fired wildlife specialists were working on ensuring that areas designated as bird nesting areas were not being used by birds so that hazardous fuel reduction projects could go forward.
• The $5 million grant to remove hazardous fire fuels and create fire breaks was frozen. this means that communities in the area will continue to be at risk from wildfires.
• Most of the fired staff held “red cards” meaning they could be called up to fight wildfires. So the Tahoe National has lost 20 firefighters.
This example is repeated across the country putting businesses and homeowners at risk.
In Mancos, Colorado, a small rafting guiding company got word from the agency that it would probably not get its permit this year as staff had been fired and there was no one to take care of the permitting process. In their letter to elected officials, the couple running the business pointed out how not getting a permit means the company will not be purchasing meals and lodging from five businesses. That’s a big deal in a town with a population of 1,248.
If you’re looking to raft the Salmon River in Idaho this year, things could be easier or harder depending on how you look it. You have to have a permit to float the river. There are limited options for camping along the river, and no toilets, so permits ensure that everyone gets a camping spot, and the river system isn’t overwhelmed by human sewage. But, the person who checks the permits of folks putting onto the river and making sure they were carrying portable toilets was fired.
There will be no trash service, no campground hosts, no bathroom maintenance or repairs to water systems in BLM, Forest Service or National Park Service Campgrounds. This is what happens when an agency is prohibited from hiring temporary workers for the summer.
These are just some of the services impacted when firings take place without understanding the systems that are in place to serve us all. I think it’s such a shame because the U.S. has some of the most beautiful public lands in the world.
Sources:
Feds Fire 4,400+ Public-Land Employees, Including Forest Service Workers, Nationla Park Staff
Local impacts of Forest Service firings, funding freezes and cuts
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/02/18/trump-s-firing-of-1000-national-park-workers-raises-concerns-about-maintenance-and-operating-hours/
