"Mass layoffs of the federal employees who manage public lands could deal a major blow to the rural economies that rely on them."
"As government agencies slash staff managing federal lands, rural populations dependent on outdoor tourism face mounting economic and environmental risks that are trickling down from the cuts.
The Trump administration, as part of a broader initiative by its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut federal spending by up to $2 trillion, laid off thousands of federal workers in February, a disproportionate number of them working in public land management. The DOGE initiative, led by billionaire Trump donor Elon Musk, cut approximately 1,000 National Park Service employees, 800 Bureau of Land Management staff and 3,400 U.S. Forest Service personnel, sparking widespread concern about the future of public lands and the gateway communities that rely on them.
Outdoor recreation contributes $1.1 trillion annually to the U.S. economy and supports 5 million jobs. With fewer workers to issue permits, manage facilities, maintain trails and mitigate wildfire risks, many rural communities and small businesses are concerned about the ripple effects of mass layoffs."
Zoë Rom reports for Inside Climate News April 2, 2025.
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