DOGE and the deluge: The hits on our cherished public recreation lands just keep coming

The U.S. Forest Service is just out with a self-examination of its national recreation infrastructure, and it isn’t pretty. The report from our half dozen national forests speaks of “critical vacancies, staff reassignments, seasonal hiring restrictions, imploding trail maintenance, and partner support.”

The 164 million acre system has been hit by two perfect storms.

An atmospheric river in January washed out trails, campgrounds and access roads.across the Pacific Northwest. The Project 2025 DOGE scheme to sabotage government, under Elon Musk, has ravaged its corps of overseers.

Asked to sum it all up, Gary Paull, retired trails/recreation director in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, said: “Oh boy, what a mess. Don’t know where to start.” Perhaps with the appalling failure to fill Paull’s position.

https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2026/02/doge-and-the-deluge-the-hits-on-our-cherished-public-recreation-lands-just-keep-coming.html