HELENA — Approximately 360 U.S. Forest Service employees in Montana have been given job termination notices by the Trump Administration. On Tuesday, former employees shared their concerns about the funding freeze and layoffs.
"I have a lot of concerns about how the agency is going to get its work done and how they are going to take care of these lands that are public trust," USFS retiree Bill Avey said.
The Big Elk Divide Restoration Committee and Elkhorn Working Group gathered in Helena on Tuesday with retirees from the Bureau of Land Management and the USFS to talk about how the recent layoffs could impact our public lands.
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"You can expect a big decline in trail clearing and you can expect a lot of dirty campgrounds if they are even open," Avey said.
A total of 28 employees have been laid off in the Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest alone.
The layoffs have sparked serious concerns about wildland firefighting as 75% of USFS staff are qualified to fight wildland fires.
"They just lost a whole bunch of that capacity, plus all of those folks supported with logistics, driving, helped feed people," Avey says. "There is all kind of work that goes into a fire that is not just on the line."
Another concern is the economic impact as many local workers are in search of other jobs and are looking for income.
Retirees of the U.S. Forest Service are gathering funds to support those who have been fired.
"Trying to fight this in any way I think we need to focus on as best we can the true impacts the results," USFS retiree Dennis Milburn said.
The meeting went on for several hours and attendees worked together on a letter in support of federal agencies and will continue discussion in upcoming meetings.
Watch related coverage: USFS cuts thousands of jobs; fired Montana forester speaks out
