SEATTLE — President Trump's proposed budget for the U.S. Forest Service eliminates all research and development funding. This proposal could lead to the closure of 56 out of 90 research stations, according to a reorganization plan from the agency.

The proposed reorganization also includes relocating the agency's headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Utah. Additionally, the plan involves consolidating regional offices into individual state facilities. The agency experienced the loss of thousands of staff members last year due to layoffs, buyouts, and early retirements. The agency also has a $3 billion deferred maintenance backlog.

U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, who operates out of the Yates building in Washington, D.C., addressed the proposal. "Research is important, science is extremely important in this organization." Schultz said.

Morgan Varner, a former fire behavior scientist at the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Lab, characterized the proposed changes as troubling from a scientific perspective. "There is a haphazard to it that I think is troubling from a scientist standpoint." Varner said. Dave Upthegrove, Washington State Public Lands Commissioner, noted the importance of research conducted at labs in Washington. Upthegrove stated, "The research that is being done at these labs in Washington state helps inform our wildfire response and contributes to improving public safety for people throughout the state of Washington particularly in rural areas."

He added that the agency's structure is based on congressional funding and that they would adjust if the president's budget were adopted. "We have built an organizational structure based on what Congress has funded us to do. And if Congress were to adopt the president's budget then we will pivot accordingly." He said.