U.S. Forest Service

05/06/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/06/2025 13:43

Our next steps

Chief Tom Schultz

As I begin my third month as your Chief, I have come to fully understand the dedication, talent, and professionalism our employees bring to their work and our mission. These last few weeks have been challenging as we've shared our appreciation and farewells with many departing colleagues, and there is no doubt that transformational changes in policies and our workforce will continue to reshape how we approach this important work today and into the future. As such, we are implementing interim governance structures and operating plans to ensure proper and intentional coverage resulting from attrition and voluntary separation program departures, such as DRP 1.0, 2.0 and VERA. Plainly, the Forest Service workforce is evolving and will look different by the fiscal year's end.

My intent is to share a general framework and priorities for the next few months as broader USDA reorganization plans are being finalized. It's important to understand that these interim and temporary operational plans developed as part of this effort are not reflective or designed to inform broader agency reorganization planning. They are necessary to maintain mission readiness during the reshaping process.

Today, there are several working groups developing interim operational guidance to maintain critical services and support and ongoing work consistent with executive orders and national priorities. In short, we are focusing our resources where they are needed most. This means we'll be exercising tools like lateral reassignments, additional training in priority areas, and introducing temporary oversight and approval structures for greater flexibility and decision speed. Below outlines our must-dos for minimum mission viability.

Firstly, we will ensure safety above all while supporting our agency's readiness and response to wildfire suppression efforts. Everything else comes second. Eligible employees may be asked to take training and gain qualifications needed to support these efforts as we head into a potential "above normal" fire season for much of the West.

Next, we will focus on our fundamental work improving the health and productivity of our forests and related actions to support rural prosperity. This includes implementing the executive orders received to date that focus on active forest management, energy, minerals and geology. Lateral reassignment opportunities in these critical areas of our field operations are underway, and we will lean on our partners to assist in areas of greatest need. In addition, disaster recovery projects will continue since they help support economic recovery and community infrastructure needs, as well as improve public safety and critical access.

We have an obligation to provide customer services for visitors while maintaining safe, reliable access to our national forests. The outdoor recreation economy continues to boom with nearly 160 million visitors to national forests just last year, and we anticipate that statistic to remain steady despite our current workforce sizing. Be prepared to lean in and adapt responsibly. Lastly, we must ensure the "business" of our workforce remains steady and smooth by meeting supervisory responsibilities including timely paychecks and approving necessary travel, as well as coordinating training logistics for critical areas.

This week we will share details of our interim operational plans with the National Leadership Council, line officers and subject matter leads as we prepare to implement them. The interim operational framework is designed to ensure a continuity of operations while obtaining maximum flexibility and adaptability. We will adapt and step forward together. If there is an immediate need for mitigation, line officers should elevate through regular channels for awareness and proceed as indicated. Ultimately, adaptability doesn't mean uncertainty-it means readiness. I'm certain these temporary measures will allow us to adjust confidently and deliberately until we officially transition into our future organizational structure.

In closing, I want to emphasize this agency will continue to evolve on the foundation built on generations of talented and committed professionals-it's our duty to carry this legacy forward and adapt responsibly to meet our mission requirements for future generations. I'm proud to serve as your Chief and deeply appreciate your patience, grace, and flexibility as we navigate these challenges together.

Editor's Note: Provide feedback about this column or suggest topics for future columns by emailing FS-Employee Feedback.

U.S. Forest Service published this content on May 06, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 06, 2025 at 19:43 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io