Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Forest Service has completed its national review of regional offices and research and development facilities, identifying more than $16 million in cost savings through local facility consolidation while minimizing impacts to employees and preserving the agency’s critical work across the country. The review responds to a significant long-term facilities challenge facing the agency. The Forest Service owns more than 16,000 facilities and holds more than 500 leases and space-occupancy agreements. Half are rated in “poor” condition and deferred maintenance exceeds $3 billion. Currently, a third of agency office space falls below the 60% utilization standard set by the USE IT Act. “For too long, the Forest Service has carried the burden of underutilized space and buildings that sit partially vacant – square footage that drains resources without advancing the agency’s work,” said Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden. “This review gives us a path to put more of those dollars to work, supporting our employees, our mission and the American people.”

Additional coverage in:

• Associated Press, by Matthew Brown: US Forest Service closing 23 research facilities as part of reorganization under Trump
• KNKX Public Radio, by Adia White: US Forest Service releases long-awaited restructuring plan