Forest Service Closes 23 Research Stations to Cut Costs and Consolidate

The U.S. Forest Service will close 23 research stations to save $16 million and consolidate resources.

The agency announced this move as part of a broader reorganization aimed at trimming costs and focusing efforts in Western states. This structural shift involves shuttering multiple facilities and relocating the headquarters to Salt Lake City, signaling a significant operational realignment.

The closures will affect 95 employees who will be reassigned within commuting distance. While 23 research and development stations will close, 41 others facing potential shutdowns will remain open after local and congressional intervention. Alongside these changes, regional offices in Atlanta, Milwaukee, and Portland will also be closed. Forest Service Associate Chief Chris French emphasized the goal of controlling facility costs without halting ongoing science activities or important experimental forests. The headquarters relocation is expected to be completed by next summer.

Montana businesses might experience indirect effects from this reorganization, given the emphasis on concentrating resources in Western states. The shift in headquarters and regional offices could influence partnerships, research collaborations, and resource allocations that impact forest management and related industries in the region. Understanding how these changes reshape federal presence could help local stakeholders anticipate shifts in funding or engagement opportunities.

US Forest Service closing 23 research facilities as part of reorganization
By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press