U.S. Forest Service Reorganization Threatens Portland's Role The U.S. Forest Service is undergoing a major restructuring that could significantly alter its operations in the Pacific Northwest, with key roles and research functions being relocated from Portland, Oregon. The proposed changes, which include shifting the regional office and research facilities out of Portland, have sparked concerns among local stakeholders about the potential loss of influence over forest management decisions in the region. Portland has historically served as a central hub for wildfire planning, timber policy, and scientific research across Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. The city’s regional office oversees vast federal lands, including a quarter of Oregon’s total land area, and coordinates wildfire response, conservation efforts, and timber policy. Additionally, Portland is home to the 100-year-old Pacific Northwest Research Station, which employs nearly 250 scientists studying forest health, climate change, and ecosystems. Under the proposed reorganization, these research operations would be consolidated in Fort Collins, Colorado, marking a significant shift in the agency’s footprint. The reorganization also involves relocating the Forest Service’s headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that the move aims to bring decision-making closer to the lands the agency manages, which are predominantly in the West. She argued that the changes would save taxpayer dollars and improve employee recruitment, while creating a more efficient and responsive agency. “This is about building a Forest Service that is nimble, efficient, effective, and closer to the forests and communities it serves,” said agency chief Tom Schultz in a statement.#us_forest_service #portland_oregon #pacific_northwest_research_station #brooke_rollins #tom_schultz
