Trump Administration’s Forest Service Restructuring Threatens Loss of 100+ Years of Historical Records

Forest Service Restructuring Puts Century-Old Archives at Risk

The USDA Forest Service’s sweeping restructuring plan, announced in late March, includes the closure of all 10 regional offices, which house decades of un-digitized historical documents. Conservationists and scientists warn that this move could result in the irretrievable loss of records spanning more than 120 years of agency operations, as well as documents dating back to the 1800s.

What’s at Stake: A Century of Critical Records

The Forest Service’s archives contain an unparalleled trove of historical and scientific data, including:

• Photographs documenting changes in forest landscapes over time;
• Scientific research data on climate change and forest ecosystems;
• Land management records spanning decades;
• Samples of water, plants, and other environmental data.

These records are vital for understanding recent climate change trends and informing future adaptation strategies, according to Brian Nowicki, a senior public lands advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity.

“We have to have our heads on straight in order to address [climate change]. We do that by having a strong historical record.”

Public Records Request Filed as Concerns Grow

On Thursday, the Center for Biological Diversity submitted a public records request to the USDA, seeking details on the agency’s plans to relocate or preserve archives from the soon-to-close regional offices. The request also asks for any records the Forest Service intends to withhold from the National Archives before the offices close and documents become inaccessible or destroyed.

The USDA is legally required to respond within 20 business days.

USDA Claims Compliance with Federal Standards

In an emailed statement to Inside Climate News, a USDA spokesperson asserted that the Forest Service adheres to federal standards to prevent the loss or destruction of public records during organizational changes.

“As offices transition or close, our protocol ensures public documents, from field photographs to hard-copy data, are preserved, accessible and protected under federal law.”

The spokesperson added that the agency will retain the majority of its regional facilities after the closures but did not provide a timeline or specifics regarding the relocation or management of archival materials.

Past Actions Raise Concerns About Data Preservation

Critics point to the Trump administration’s history of eliminating or restricting access to public data sources. Nowicki emphasized the need for concrete preservation plans, noting that Forest Service staff have reportedly expressed uncertainty about the fate of the archives.

“The Trump administration is trying to rewrite our history… Right now, long-term access to public information isn’t a guarantee,” Nowicki stated.

Relocating over a century of archival material would be a monumental task for an agency already grappling with staffing shortages. According to an analysis by Inside Climate News of data from the Office of Personnel Management, the Forest Service lost 16% of its workforce in the first year of the second Trump administration.

Next Steps: What to Watch For

The USDA’s response to the public records request, due within 20 business days, may provide clarity on the preservation of these critical archives. Conservationists and scientists will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure that irreplaceable historical and scientific data is not lost in the agency’s restructuring.