The U.S. Forest Service has announced a significant reorganization plan, relocating its headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah. The move, set to take effect by March 31, 2026, aims to bring the agency closer to the vast majority of national forest lands, which are concentrated in the western United States.
New State Offices Replace Regional System
Under the new plan, the Forest Service will abandon its 1908 system of nine regional offices in favor of 15 state offices. Most of these offices will be located in western states, reflecting the distribution of national forest lands. Nearly two-thirds of the National Capital staff will be reassigned to Salt Lake City or new 'Operations Service Centers' in Placerville, Missoula, Fort Collins, Albuquerque, Madison, and Athens.
'This reorganization ensures our operations are better aligned with the lands we manage,' a Forest Service spokesperson stated.
Focus on Western States
The decision prioritizes states like Alaska, California, and Idaho, which collectively hold a significant portion of Forest Service lands. In contrast, states east of the Mississippi River, which account for less than 10% of national forest lands, will share state directors with multiple states. The Forest Service emphasized that the move does not eliminate scientific positions or research programs but consolidates them under a central hub in Fort Collins.
This reorganization underscores the administration's commitment to optimizing federal resources and prioritizing areas with the greatest natural resource impact.