Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Forest Service to abandon nine regional offices
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Monday, July 28, 2025
National Interagency Fire Center ([link removed])

The U.S. Forest Service plans to shutter its nine regional offices ([link removed]) over the next year, giving political appointees in Washington, DC more control over local forest management decisions. The announcement came as part of a larger reorganization of the Agriculture department, which is home to the Forest Service. While the USDA plans to force thousands of employees out of Washington ([link removed]) and into five new regional hubs, the Forest Service, which already has nine regions, will close its regional offices.

Former Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth told Mountain Journal ([link removed]) that the move didn't make sense.

“I heard rumors a couple months ago of consideration of dropping to three regional offices from nine,” Bosworth said. “But I hadn’t heard of doing away with regional offices completely. We’ve got 120-some national forests and administrative units. Do you want all those people reporting to the chief?”

As the Missoula Current points out ([link removed]) , regional forest offices often serve as a buffer between politicians and individual forest supervisors. Eliminating the regional foresters will add political pressure to the forest managers.

Interior DOGE operative to step down

Tyler Hassen, the oil executive who Elon Musk installed as the acting head of Policy, Management, and Budget at the Interior department, is leaving the agency this week ([link removed]) . Interior Secretary Doug Burgum had given Hassen sweeping powers to overhaul the department ([link removed]) . During congressional testimony earlier this month, Burgum admitted he didn't know ([link removed]) how many wildfire-certified "red card" holders had left Interior on Hassen's watch.


** Quick hits
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Colorado county begins re-zoning process to protect against public land sell-off

Aspen Times ([link removed])

Oil companies falsified cleanup data at more than 400 sites in Colorado

9News ([link removed])

Global methane flaring hits 17-year high, U.S. still among biggest polluters

OilPrice.com ([link removed])

Infographics: Trump policies reshape federal land against the tide of overwhelming public opinion

Reuters ([link removed])

Trump wants to rescind the Roadless Rule — what would that mean?

Sierra Magazine ([link removed])

National park gift shops could remove books on slavery and Civil War

Washington Post ([link removed])

Opinion: This is what censorship looks like in my national park

National Parks Traveler ([link removed])

It takes mule power to keep Olympic National Park's backcountry open

Seattle Times ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” The only thing that disparages Americans is taking away our ability to think critically for ourselves. We learn history so we can create a better future. Taking away that ability is both disparaging and threatening to our collective ability to make change. Why doesn’t the White House want you to see a more complete version of history? Maybe it’s because, when we see ourselves in history, we realize that we can reshape it. For a government like this, that must feel like a threat.”

—Former Muir Woods Park Ranger Elizabeth Villano, National Parks Traveler ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@usinterior ([link removed])
Beargrass is a native wildflower in @glaciernps ([link removed]) that typically starts blooming in late May and can continue through August. This iconic plant, set against the backdrop of Glacier's majestic mountains and pristine wilderness, is a sight to behold.

Photo by Richard Ostrem

Alt Text: Tall clusters of white flowers sit on a steep rolling hill with green grass and trees. Grand snow-tipped mountains stand tall in the background with puffy white clouds above the sky.

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