Budget shortfalls that have stalled hiring at the Forest Service are gaining new attention from Congress.
Members of Colorado’s congressional delegation told Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack they’re “deeply concerned” about the situation and warned against taking money away from forest maintenance — often done by seasonal workers — to cover salaries for permanent employees.
Those worries, expressed in a letter to Vilsack last week, come as the top lawmakers on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee are seeking more details on the agency’s recent hiring practices.
At issue is the Forest Service’s decision to halt seasonal hiring for the current fiscal year and to hold off on temporary hires in the face of a budget gap of as much as $750 million.
