This page will provide rolling updates on threats to public lands imposed by the federal or state governments, and recommended actions. The most current will be at the top of the page.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CWJXPAbk695iwYWGa0-6lWqxBY_ayXX_/preview
Video Highlights – the impact
- Without campground and trails staff patroling and putting out campfires, the risk of human-caused wildfire is much greater
- Additionally, the likelihood of illegal dumping and vandalism is much higher
- Without key wildfire support and leadership staff, without chainsaw, snowmobile, and helicopter long line staff, and with trails unmaintained, both SAR and wildfire response will be greatly compromised
Resource Links:
House Letter to USDA Secretary & Chief
Dept. of Interior (NPS) Staff Buyouts
March 2025 – Federal Cuts to Public Lands
Video Highlights – the facts
- 2010-2020: 29% reduction in FTEs for USFS Recreation with a simultaneous 17% growth in visitation
- 2011-2022 – 15% reduction in full time NPS staff
- October 2024: federal freeze on seasonal forest service hires
- January 2025: hiring freeze for ALL open positions
- February 14, 2025: 1,000 NPS and 3,400 USFS employees fired
- 75% of those fired were “red-carded” as critical wildfire response staff
- 80% of Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie staff are gone
- 40% of Gifford Pinchot recreation staff are gone
Video Highlights – what we can do now
- Follow WCC, Outdoor Alliance, and Washington Trails Association
- Be more conservative than you normally would in both how you share canyon photos and beta, and how you manage risk in your own canyoning
- Be model stewards:
- Bring a garbage bag and gloves, and plan time to carry out trash
- Pack out your poop (and your dog’s) – there’s no one to carry out the 1000’s of pounds of human waste that gets carried/pumped out every year
- Be paranoid about fire
- Lead by example especially when no one is watching
- Write to your Lawmakers