The Forest Service manages approximately 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands, providing clean water to millions of Americans, supporting rural economies, sustaining wildlife habitat, and delivering recreation opportunities to more than 150 million visitors annually. The proposed realignment – including relocation of the agency’s headquarters functions, elimination of regional offices, consolidation of research, and the creation of new State-level leadership structures – represents a significant structural shift for an agency built on place-based management and long-term scientific capacity. In addition, history provides a clear lesson: federal reorganizations of comparable scope have resulted in significant loss of institutional knowledge, reduced operational continuity, weakened policy engagement and coordination across programs, and serious disruptions to mission-critical work. These risks are especially relevant for the Forest Service, where wildfire response, fuel management, watershed protection, recreation, and research are deeply interconnected.

The Administration’s FY2027 budget request further advances this reorganization by proposing consolidation of federal wildland fire programs into a single entity with the Department of Interior, along with associated transfers of funding, personnel, and authorities from the Forest Service. This proposal would fundamentally alter the relationship between wildfire response and forest management.

At the same time, Congress has previously required a formal feasibility study of any such consolidation before implementation. Moving forward through the budget process without the benefit of the analysis that Congress required– and without clear public understanding of operational, fiscal, and mission impacts – raises significant concerns about transparency and sequencing.

NARFE urges Congress to use their oversight authority to require the following:

• Clear, measurable objectives to evaluate the success of the reorganization;
• Completion and public release of the Congressionally required feasibility study on wildfire program consolidation before any structural changes are finalized;
• Independent analysis of projected cost savings alongside potential impacts to mission delivery;
• Specific plans to support employees affected by relocation and to retain critical scientific and operational expertise; and
• Assurance that the agency maintains an effective presence in Washington, D.C. to support coordination with Congress and federal partners

 

Please use the sample letter below to urge your members of Congress to address these concerns with OPM regarding the reorganization of the Forest Service. Personalize the sample letter below to send to your members of Congress.