Congresswoman Schrier Presses Trump Administration for Answers on Deteriorating Forest Service Trail Conditions

Conditions Come as U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Struggles with Insufficient Staffing and Budget Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswomen Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), and Andrea Salinas (OR-06) led 21 of their colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump Administration on deteriorating Forest Service trail conditions due to insufficient maintenance by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which has threatened visitor safety and outdoor recreation access for millions of Americans.

"We write with serious concern that, despite your stated intent to prioritize outdoor access and improve visitor experiences, the USFS trail maintenance operations have been hamstrung by layoffs, hiring restrictions, budget cuts and other policies that make it harder for staff to do their jobs and meet agency objectives," the letter states.

The letter continues, "The USFS manages over 164,000 miles of trails, more than any other land management agency. Americans cherish the USFS trail network, which serves 84 million visitors annually. Public lands recreation contributes $128 billion to our national economy. Despite the clear value of trails and the agency's stated focus on outdoor access, conditions on the ground are deteriorating."

"A December 2025 Trail Program Status Report details that trail maintenance suffered dramatically in 2025. Total miles of USFS trails maintained in 2025 fell by 22%. Neglecting our recreational assets increases the long-term costs of maintaining these facilities," the letter continues.

In response to this drop, the letter calls on USFS leadership to answer specific questions on their plan to address the deterioration in outdoor access and better maintain trails this year. To read the full letter, click here.

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