The recent reduction of 3,400 U.S. Forest Service employees—constituting about 10% of its workforce—has raised significant concerns among outdoor industry groups regarding implementing the EXPLORE Act. These workforce reductions, primarily affecting probationary employees involved in essential fieldwork such as trail maintenance and wildfire mitigation, are poised to impact the agency’s capacity to manage and develop outdoor recreation infrastructure.
Congressman Bruce Westerman (R), who represents Arkansas’ Fourth District, was one of the sponsors of the bipartisan bill signed into law last year by former President Joe Biden. We contacted Representative Westerman’s office to get his thoughts on how the workforce reduction could impact the implementation of the EXPLORE Act in Arkansas. Unfortunately, we did not hear back from his office before press time. We hope to have more information on how Representative Westerman expects these developments to affect the EXPLORE Act.
According to the Outdoor Alliance (OA), Arkansas is home to 3,584 miles of trails, over 2000 miles of mountain biking trails, 1,538 river paddling miles, and 414 rock climbing sites that support 1.4 million participants. The OA has stated that Arkansas outdoor recreation generates $4.5 billion in consumer spending, $1.9 billion in wages and salaries, and holds a 2.5% share of the state economy.
The Outdoor Alliance posted the following on their blog, “In December, Congress passed the EXPLORE Act, landmark legislation aimed at expanding and improving outdoor recreation on public lands and waters. It had overwhelming bipartisan support which underscores the undeniable value of outdoor access for communities, local economies, and public health. But passing the EXPLORE Act was only the first step—without adequate staffing at land management agencies, its implementation will be impossible. From streamlining permits to improving recreation infrastructure, every aspect of the bill depends on having enough skilled agency staff to carry out its vision. Cutting the very workforce responsible for making public lands accessible directly undermines the progress Congress just made.”
The EXPLORE Act, a bipartisan legislative initiative passed in late 2024, aims to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities nationwide. Key provisions of the act include expanding biking networks through the Biking on Long Distance Trails (BOLT) Act, which would incorporate the Ouachita National Recreation Trail in Arkansas, and the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act, designed to streamline permitting processes for outfitters and guides.
In Arkansas, the Ozark-St. Francis and Ouachita National Forests are popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of recreational activities. The workforce reductions are expected to lead to delays in trail maintenance and development projects, increased emergency response times, and potential closures of certain recreational areas due to insufficient staffing. These challenges could deter visitors, impacting local economies that depend on tourism and outdoor recreation.
The broader context of these layoffs aims to reduce government spending and streamline operations. While the administration asserts that these measures are necessary for fiscal responsibility, critics argue that the abrupt reduction in the workforce, with some employees given just 30 minutes to vacate their positions, jeopardizes essential public services and the stewardship of public lands.
Louis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations at Outdoor Alliance, said, “We are deeply sorry to hear about the staffing cuts rolling in across federal land management agencies. Land managers do incredibly important work, often for long hours at modest pay. They are at the front line for stewarding the resources we all care so much about, and the loss of these workers will have real, tangible impacts on our public lands and waters, outdoor recreation, and community safety as we start to move into fire season.” (link)
“The recent workforce reductions at the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior are deeply concerning, especially as these agencies are already operating with historically low staff-to-visitor ratios,” said Kent Ebersole, Outdoor Industry Association President. “The stewards of our national parks, forests, and public lands—park rangers, maintenance crews, and visitor service staff—are the backbone of these treasured places. They keep trails open, respond to emergencies, educate the public, and ensure that millions of visitors not only experience the outdoors safely but also feel welcomed and inspired by the landscapes they explore. (link)
As the outdoor recreation community and local stakeholders in Arkansas await further developments, there is a growing call for a reassessment of the workforce reduction strategy. Ensuring that the U.S. Forest Service is adequately staffed is crucial not only for the preservation and maintenance of national forests but also for the successful realization of the EXPLORE Act’s goals to enhance outdoor recreation for all.
More on the Outdoor Alliance – “A member-based collective, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policymakers, and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone.”
Outdoor Industry Association – “…A nonprofit coalition of national advocacy organizations that includes American Whitewater, American Canoe Association, Access Fund, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Winter Wildlands Alliance, the Mountaineers, the American Alpine Club, the Mazamas, the Colorado Mountain Club, and the Surfrider Foundation.”
The EXPLORE Act – Our most recent post on the EXPLORE Act, BOLT Act, and other parts of this legislation.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
