Current Public Lands Threats
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.
WCC Advocacy Series March 2025.mp4Video 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