Local officials sound alarm bells over proposed Forest Service cuts

EVERETT — Local nonprofit heads, a tribal leader and elected officials gathered in Snohomish County on Wednesday to sound the alarm over proposed cuts to the United States Forest Service that could see funding to research efforts reduced and the closure of research stations around the country, including in Washington.

Under a proposed reorganization plan that the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in March, the Forest Service could close 57 of its 77 research facilities across 31 states, The New York Times reported, consolidating them into centralized offices.

Two research facilities in Washington — one in Seattle and another in Wenatchee — are flagged for closure, according to the Forest Service.

Officials, who gathered at a South County Fire station just outside Everett city limits for a roundtable discussion hosted by Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, worried the reorganization could hamper scientific research and reduce the effectiveness of forest management across the country.

https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/07/09/local-officials-sound-alarm-bells-over-proposed-forest-service-cuts/