1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to express my profound alarm and unequivocal opposition to the ongoing dismantling and restructuring of the U.S. Forest Service. This action represents not only a reckless administrative overreach but a direct affront to public input, institutional integrity, and Congressional authority. Nearly 50,000 public comments and letters were submitted in response to this proposal—virtually all in opposition. To proceed in defiance of such overwhelming public consensus is not governance; it is disregard. The voices of citizens, stakeholders, scientists, and career professionals have been ignored wholesale. Equally troubling is the fact that this restructuring has been executed without explicit Congressional authorization. Such a sweeping reorganization—one that fundamentally alters the mission, staffing, and geographic leadership of a critical federal agency—demands legislative scrutiny, debate, and approval. Circumventing Congress in this manner sets a dangerous precedent. Let me be clear: an 87% loss of staff is not “efficiency.” It is incapacitation. It is the deliberate hollowing out of an agency entrusted with managing millions of acres of public land, safeguarding ecosystems, mitigating wildfire risk, and supporting rural economies. No credible argument can frame such a drastic reduction as anything other than destructive. Furthermore, the decision to relocate the agency’s headquarters to Utah raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest and political motivations. Utah is actively engaged in legal efforts to seize control of federal public lands. Placing the leadership of the U.S. Forest Service in a state pursuing such an agenda is not a coincidence—it is a deeply troubling signal about the intended direction of public land management. Congress must act immediately. I urge you to: * Block all funding associated with this relocation and restructuring effort. * Demand a full and transparent review of the proposal’s impacts on public lands, wildfire management, staffing capacity, and local communities. * Require that any such major reorganization be subject to Congressional debate and formal approval. * Ensure that public input is not only solicited but meaningfully considered in any future decisions. This issue transcends partisanship. It is about stewardship, accountability, and the rule of law. The American people deserve a functioning Forest Service—not one that has been gutted and relocated through opaque and unauthorized means. I expect you to uphold your constitutional role and act decisively to stop this course of action.