"This action builds on Secretary Rollins’ announcement last month to unleash American energy by directing the USDA Forest Service to take action to remove burdensome Biden-era regulations that have stifled energy and mineral development on Forest Service land. As part of these decisive actions, the agency also canceled two mineral leasing withdrawals on Forest Service land that will help boost production of critical minerals." https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/04/04/secretary-rollins-announces-sweeping-reforms-protect-national-forests-and-boost-domestic-timber #USDA #USPol #USForestService #USFS
#Climate

#MTPol #USFS #USForestService #HamiltonMT #HamiltonMontana

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:jklrg6amwnm4pf64s6cb5yq7/post/3lk4n52n2ks2k

“The brave men and women of the #USForestService began responding immediately to the #fires in the #Carolinas,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “We will ensure they have the resources, personnel, and support they need to swiftly put out the fires. They are working closely with state and local partners, and we are grateful for all the #firefighters working on the frontlines.”

https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/03/03/secretary-rollins-addresses-wildfires-carolinas

US Forest Service firings decimate: entire generation of talent and passion lost — https://grist.org/politics/forest-service-firings-decimate-already-understaffed-agency/
#HackerNews #USForestService #Firings #TalentLoss #ForestManagement #EnvironmentalPolicy #AgencyChallenges

Hundreds protest in Flagstaff after mass firings of federal forest workers #USForestService #Arizona #USPol

https://youtube.com/shorts/JpWGe1ZxJuQ

> Some northern Arizona residents say they’re worried that the mass federal layoffs will hurt the tourism industry.

US Forest Service, National Park Service employees fired by DOGE speak out

https://youtube.com/watch?v=vDNCkfZLUSE&si=s5KevpJVgXs0UEo4

> Fired employees of the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service told ABC News that the decision to lay off thousands of employees will have catastrophic effects

#USForestService #Fire #FireFighters #USPol #DOGE #NationalParkService

“For people on the ground in mountain communities, small towns and rural areas, the cuts were nothing short of devastating. They came with no explanation, warning or discernment, and the impact on public land and wildlife, observers say, will be felt for years.”

#Politics #USPolitics #DOGECoup #MuskCoup #TrumpRegime #NaturalResources #NationalParkService #USForestService #SmallTowns #RuralCommunities #FederalJobs

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/02/presidents-day-firings-federal-workers-interior-fish-wildlife-service-rural-national-parks/

Just like with #PFAS-laden #FirefightingFoam, less #Toxic alternatives are out there, but expense is often cited as a roadblock. TBH, things that benefit the environment and society shouldn't cost more than the toxic originals -- and toxic chemicals should be replaced! Period! Make #BigChemical pay! (Since they probably knew about the hazards but hid them from the public. As usual with Big anything these days...!)

A #PinkPowder is being used to fight #CaliforniaFires. It's getting everywhere

by Nadine Yousif, January 13, 2025

"Its use has been controversial in the past over its potential effects on the #environment.

"A lawsuit filed in 2022 by the #ForestServiceEmployees for #EnvironmentalEthics, an organisation made up of current and former employees of the #USForestService, accused the federal agency of violating the country's clean water laws by dumping #chemical #FireRetardant from planes onto forests.

"It argued that the chemical kills fish and is not effective.

"The following year, a US District judge agreed with the employees, but in her ruling allowed the Forest Service to continue using the retardant as it seeks a permit to do so from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"The case drew the attention of communities devastated by #wildfires in the past, including the town of #ParadiseCalifornia, which was destroyed by fire in 2018.

"Its then-mayor, Greg Bolin, hailed the judge's ruling, saying it ensures communities 'have a fighting chance' in the face of fires.

"The Forest Service told NPR that this year, it phased out the use of one type of #PhosChek formula - #PhosChekLC95 - in favour of another - #MVPFx - saying that the latter is less toxic to #wildlife.

"The Forest Service also has a mandatory ban in place on dropping fire retardant in sensitive environmental areas, like waterways and habitats of endangered species. There are exceptions to the ban, however, in cases 'when human life or public safety are threatened.'"

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93lqng957jo?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
#FireRetardant #FishKills #Wildfires #Firefighting

Trouble ahead, trouble behind. US Forest Service proposes increases in logging, justifies cutting older trees to save ancient ones, to reduce intensity of fires. Unclear how these proposals will accomplish goals other than increasing lumber harvest for corporations.
#wildfires #timber-harvesting #USForestService #logging
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/11/18/more-logging-is-proposed-to-help-curb-wildfires-in-the-us-pacific-northwest/

The Forest Service is cutting its seasonal workforce to the bone

Forest Service crew clearing obstruction from Moran Creek Tr No. 2, July 15, 2023 – W. K. Walker

Here is a very concerning discussion of next year’s Forest Service seasonal worker hiring freeze. Note that this affects the regular seasonal employees. The recently established “permanent seasonal” employees will still have work, although there will be no money for additional duties. And there is still money to staff the fire crews. Still, this portends a difficult trail maintenance season next year.

…The agency relies on a large, often underappreciated army of seasonal or temporary workers who clean bathrooms and campgrounds, empty trash cans, maintain trails, welcome people at visitor centers and do critical research work on the environment.

These employees help monitor the health of the public waters and forests that the agency oversees, clearing brush and trees that pose wildfire danger and monitoring the health of Alaska’s sockeye salmon. The Forest Service-managed portions of the Appalachian Trail that were damaged by Hurricane Helene will likely be repaired by temporary workers. (Hikers are currently advised to stay off over 800 miles of the Appalachian Trail.)

Next summer, however, most of these tasks will be performed by other staff — or else not done at all…

Continue reading . . .

#trailMaintenance #USForestService

#minnesota #travel #adventure #vanlife #rvlife #winnebago #winnebagoera #lake #wetland #nativeland #usforestservice #continentaldivide #laurentiandivide #superiornationalforest #deer https://natureisourmedicine.com/f/minnesota-meandering---29jun2024

#FEMA Told Victims of New Mexico’s Largest #Wildfire It Can’t Pay for Emotional Harm. A #Judge Will Likely Rule It Must.

Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire victims sued the agency because it will compensate them only for losses that come with a price tag. Victims say the law allows them to be paid for the stress of fleeing the blaze and the toll of losing their possessions.

https://propub.li/3UelrPK

#News #NewMexico #Law #Government #USForestService

The #Thunderhead balloon launched on August 4 from Baker Municipal Airport in #Oregon is part of an initiative between #NASA researchers, the U.S. Forest Service, and #Aerostar to provide persistent cell coverage from the stratosphere, enabling real-time communication between firefighters operating in West Mountain Complex fires in Idaho and command posts.

https://www.nasa.gov/stmd-flight-opportunities/flight-summaries/improving-firefighter-safety-with-strato/

#Balloon #NearSpace #Technology #Communications #Stratospheric #USForestService

The US Forest Service is as much about old growth forests as The Bureau of Indian Affairs was to the native American.
The BIA was known for profiting from the sale of goods intended for native Americans. Who is the Forest Service selling to?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/01/us-forest-service-old-growth-trees-deforestation-logging
#USForestService #Corruption

#RainbowGathering #hippies #USForestService #CivilDisobedience #GoodTrouble
Question of the day: If they arrest 10,000 people, where are they going to put them?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/30/rainbow-family-california-forest-service-disruption/74249325007/

The US is shortchanging its federal firefighters, and risking the loss of its most skilled and experienced firefighters as a result. This is a particularly unwise move given the increasing occurrence and severity of wildfires, and the importance of federal crews in the overall effort to prevent and fight wildfires.

#wildfires #firefighters #USForestService #USDepartmentOfInterior #USCongress #WildlandFirefighterPaycheckProtectionAct

https://mountainjournal.org/as-wildfire-season-looms-firefighters-battle-low-pay-low-snow