Forest Service reports 44% staffing shortfall in district; local projects and infrastructure updates provided

Greg Florie with the U.S. Forest Service told the commission the district is operating with a substantial staffing shortfall and provided updates on local maintenance and visitor infrastructure projects. Why it matters: staffing shortages affect routine operations, recreation infrastructure work, and how the agency fills temporary assignments across districts. Florie said the district was down about 44% in staffing and that the hiring freeze meant only certain line officers were being filled. He added that fire response was fully staffed. On projects, he said the Road In parking lot work was on a path to conclude on Aug. 6; the MSC wall work slated to start in September has been postponed to next year; bids had been received to limit recreation impacts in September/October; and the South Ruby fish station had mechanical issues pending rural electric repairs. Florie asked for help producing Christmas-tree ornaments for a state-provided Capitol Christmas tree effort and said the district staff had been doing outreach at local events. No formal actions by the commission were recorded; the commission asked clarifying questions about timelines and implementation.