The Hotshot Wakeup is doing a much better job of covering the FS budget crisis than I am so here’s a link to his latest:
Reducing a budget gap of this size by $700M is no easy task, and the Forest Service did it relatively quickly. However, this did not come without tough decisions. In communications with Forest Leadership last week, the FS said, “The Forest Service has made tremendous progress regarding the budget for FY25 and has reduced the $750M salary budget gap down to $50M.”
They continue saying that this was accomplished through personnel actions and permanent employee actions and was greatly assisted with trust funds and contract adjustments.
As we already know, no non-Fire seasonal hires will happen in fiscal year 2025, likely freeing up a tremendous amount of money. There have also been discussions about providing buy-out opportunities for “close to retirement” employees. I don’t know what this would look like, but multiple employees have come forward saying they have received “hypothetical” offers.
It’s not a huge surprise to hear they utilized trust funds, and contract adjustments were likely coming down the pipe anyway. I think this just really forced their hand.
What has caused the budget gap? I assume two things: either Congress tried to defund the agency because they were disappointed with some performance, or the budget greatly expanded due to lawsuits and fires. Does anyone know?
Greg, I’ve done a couple of posts on this .. here’s one https://forestpolicypub.com/2024/09/05/the-fs-budget-deficit-the-attrition-factor-and-generational-change-in-recreation/
The story is 1) the Dept said they had to use the House marks for FY2025 even though everyone suspects the reconciliation bill is always higher.
2) firefighter pay and COLAs added up to more $ for folks
3) not as many old people retired as predicted