Reorganization
Forest Service plans to carry out major reorganization with or without approval from Congress

The Forest Service's chief says the agency isn't looking to cut its workforce. Thousands of employees left last year by taking voluntary separation incentives.

Jory Heckman@jheckmanWFED
April 16, 2026 7:05 pm
6 min read

The Forest Service is defending its plan to relocate its headquarters to Utah and shutter most of its research facilities, as part of a major agency reorganization — but intends to proceed with these plans with or without approval from Congress.

Last month, the Agriculture Department announced that the Forest Service would move its headquarters to Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition, the agency should shut down 57 of its 77 research facilities, as well as all nine of its regional offices.

Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz told members of the House Appropriations Committee that about 500 employees would have to relocate under the agency reorganization plan — about 1.5% of the agency’s 30,000 workforce.

“The intent is not to push anyone out the door,” Schultz told members of the subcommittee on interior, environment and related agencies on Thursday. “The intent, really, is to be thoughtful about how we do this, looking at where we don’t have enough staff to support a facility.”

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Jory Heckman
Jory Heckman is a reporter at Federal News Network covering the Postal Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, big data and technology issues. Follow @jheckmanWFED