The Forest Service hasn’t decided which of its dozens of research facilities to close as part of a broad reorganization, agency Chief Tom Schultz told a Senate committee as Democratic criticism of the plan mounts.
At a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing Tuesday, Schultz appeared to step back from earlier assertions that the Forest Service intended to close 57 facilities around the country, responding to pressure from lawmakers representing the states where they’re located.
“We have not made any determinations as to closings,” Schultz said, adding that the Trump administration is looking at all Forest Service facilities — research and otherwise — to identify potential cost savings. The agency has a $3 billion deferred maintenance backlog, he said.
“I know there’s been some confusion based on language I’ve used previously about closures,” Schultz said.
