20-plus research facilities to close to get ‘costs under control’

NewsHeadquarters will also be moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)AP Photo/Jenny KaneBy Claudia Dimuro | cdimuro@pennlive.comThe United States Forest Service has confirmed it will close 23 research and development stations across a dozen states.According to Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), these closures are all part of a restructuring plan that was first announced back in March. The service confirmed that employees of the impacted locations will still continue their research work at other local facilities; 41 facilities will also be retained.“Our primary goal was to get our facilities costs under control,” Forest Service Associate Chief Chris French tells The Associated Press. “We’re not closing any ongoing science activities.“We’re not closing any of the experimental forests that are important to our researchers.” President Donald Trump also previously confirmed that Forest Service headquarters would be moved from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah. This is due to the fact that almost 90 percent of National Forest System land is located in the western part of the country. The facilities that are set to close include locations in Huntsville, Alabama; Tallahassee, Florida; and Baltimore, Maryland. The shuttering of these sites is expected to save about $16 million.Critics of the plan, however, note that it puts wildlife at risk, as well as clean air and water. The Forest Service has also already cut about 6,000 employees — roughly 15 percent of its workforce — during President Trump’s second administration.“This is about building a Forest Service that is nimble, efficient, effective and closer to the forests and communities it serves,” says Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz via press release. “Effective stewardship and active management are achieved on the ground, where forests and communities are found — not just behind a desk in the capital.“Through this transition, we will strengthen our connection to the forests and people who depend on them, while supporting our employees and honoring the dedication that has always defined our service. I’m honored to help guide this new chapter for the Forest Service, following the vision set forth by President Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot more than a century ago.”The Associated Press contributed to this report.Plan ahead: Most banks will close for 24 hours next weekYour personality might matter more than skills in landing a job: reportUnique coffee chain to open dozens of spots across U.S.Claudia covers trending and breaking news stories across the United States. She previously worked as a digital reporter for PennLive.com, where she covered a range of topics from metal music to consumer news to...