USDA Closes Michigan Forest Research Facilities as Headquarters Relocates to Salt Lake City The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week that it will close all four of its Forest Service research and development facilities in Michigan as part of a sweeping restructuring initiative. The decision, which includes the shuttering of facilities in Houghton, East Lansing, Wellston in Manistee County, and L’Anse in Baraga County, marks a significant shift in the agency’s operations. The move is part of a broader plan to relocate the Forest Service headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah, a decision that has sparked debate among experts and officials about its potential impact on Michigan’s forest ecosystems. The closure of Michigan’s research facilities could affect the management of nearly 3 million acres of national forestland, according to a Michigan forestry researcher. State officials are currently evaluating how the restructuring might influence the health of the state’s woodlands. The closest remaining research facilities to Michigan will be located in Rhinelander and Madison, Wisconsin, and Delaware, Ohio, leaving a gap in local expertise for addressing forest health challenges. The USDA spokesperson confirmed that the transition will occur in phases, with employees receiving detailed information about relocation timelines, available options, and support resources. However, the spokesperson declined to specify how many Michigan-based employees will be affected by the reorganization. At least some staff may be relocated to other facilities, though the exact number remains unclear. Michigan is home to three national forests—the Huron-Manistee, Hiawatha, and Ottawa—which span the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula.#michigan #salt_lake_city #usda #emerald_ash_borer #beech_bark_disease
