Thousands of USFS Trail and Maintenance Workers Job Cut 2025

[maverick]

https://www.sfgate.com/california-parks ... _GnpMhZ0iw

[Schleppy]

"The Forest Service has done away with about 8,000 positions in the past 20 years, Moore said at the meeting. In an August blog post, Moore pointed to the possibility of steep budget cuts in the next fiscal year."

Perhaps concessioners can fill the gap (sarcasm intended).

[Jim F]

Maverick,

Thanks for posting this. But it is not too surprising in light of last December's feature article in the Scientific American, "Inside the $1.5-Trillion Nuclear Weapons Program You've Never Heard Of," which is a special report on a $1.5 trillion effort to remake the American nuclear arsenal.

I very much recall General Eisenhower's warning during his farewell speech to the American people on January 17, 1961.

On the bright side, if a few crumbs remain after the $1.5 trillion feeding frenzy, some of the crumbs might be thrown to the trail maintenance workers.

Jim

[Wandering Daisy]

Not only will trails not be maintained, but the program was such a benefit for the workers themselves. A lot of those kids would have never gotten their lives together if not for the program. It was a win-win for everyone. I do not know if the CCC is federal funded or state funded, or both.

Maybe billionaire Musk could support this program. (wishful thinking)

[balzaccom]

This is not quite as surprising as it may seem, to me. I know that the USFS has had real challenges filling these positions over the last couple of years. They are simply not funded at a wage level that atrracts people for work these days. I know in the forests where I volunteer, I've been told over and over again that there are positions currrently unfilled, and positions that went unfilled all summer long.

I would have jumped at the chance to work a summer job in the USFS fifty years ago, but times have changed.

[dave54]

The Forest Service appropriation for FY2025 is $750 million less than last year. The seasonal hire ban and internal creative accounting have combined to get the projected shortfall to around $50 million. By law, federal agencies cannot run a deficit. So there is still 50m to deal with.

If every agency was funded to full level everyone wants the country would be bankrupt.

For years the voters have been yelling at Congress to control spending and reduce the deficit. They did. By making tough choices about where to make cuts. The Forest Service lost.
I don't agree with the decision, but I understand why.

[balzaccom]

This is an excellent video on the coming financial crunch for the department that maintains and supervises our trails and wildernesses.

https://youtu.be/d24PTLHEu_Q

So, yes, those fallen trees, strom damage, and even clean up of over-used sites will not happen on any appreciable level in 2025.

Sure, you can write your newly elected congressperson to complain. See what that does. But you can also volunteer where you hike, and even where you don't hike, to maintain the mountains you love. We've been doing this for years. Highly recommended.

[dave54]

We shall see how much power and influence the House Freedom Caucus has in the new Congress. They are so fiscally tight they make Ebenezer Scrooge look like a drunken sailor on shore leave. If they gain influence the budgets of all the land agencies will be devastated. If they remain in the background then perhaps it won't be as bad.

[FrankPS]

They are so fiscally tight they make Ebenezer Scrooge look like a drunken sailor on shore leave. If they gain influence the budgets of all the land agencies will be devastated. If they remain in the background then perhaps it won't be as bad.

It's about time we got some fiscal restraint in our government. Bring on the tightness!

[dave54]

They are so fiscally tight they make Ebenezer Scrooge look like a drunken sailor on shore leave. If they gain influence the budgets of all the land agencies will be devastated. If they remain in the background then perhaps it won't be as bad.

It's about time we got some fiscal restraint in our government. Bring on the tightness!

We all want the deficit brought under control. However, to do so means a price is paid. This is the price.