This week, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced it will be relocating its Washington, D.C. headquarters to Salt Lake City. This is a huge win for our district, our forests, and our people.

This will be the largest move in USFS history and bring hundreds of jobs to our district as Salt Lake City is central to much of our national forest system, experimental forests, and research stations.

Not only do I celebrate the selection of Salt Lake City as the ideal location to manage our national forest system, but I also applaud the federal restructuring of this agency to emphasize local control by bringing leaders closer to the landscapes and communities they serve.

In the words of Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, “Effective stewardship and active management are achieved on the ground, where forests and communities are found—not just behind a desk in the capital.”

These are exactly the changes I will fight for: stewardship for our environment by emphasizing local control and market-based solutions. Some of my most cherished childhood memories are from hiking and camping in our national forests. Generations to come deserve that same opportunity, and I am thrilled we will play an even greater role to ensure that happens right here in our backyard.

 

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USFS manages 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands spanning nearly 200 million acres. It receives ~160 million visitors annually and protects drinking water sources for 80 million Americans.