Committee adopts resolution urging federal action after Forest Service staffing cuts cited

The California State Assembly Natural Resources Committee voted to adopt AJR 10, a resolution authored by Assemblymember Rogers, expressing concern about staffing reductions at the U.S. Forest Service and urging federal action. The committee recorded the motion as adopted and later reported 14 ayes on the roll call; the roll was left open for additional members.

Rogers told the committee that Forest Service staffing affects many aspects of daily life, including water sources, wildlife habitat and recreation. "These vast forests are basically the lungs of our state," Rogers said, and he cited the Mendocino National Forest and other federal lands in his district when describing impacts to water, tribal communities and rural economies.

Rogers described wildfire damage to the Mendocino National Forest and said staffing cuts had reduced capacity for wildfire prevention work. He urged an aye vote on the resolution. "This resolution sends a strong message to the federal government that we shouldn't be abruptly firing the hardworking staff at the Forest Service," Rogers said.

No formal opposition was called; the clerk took a roll call and members registered aye votes. Committee members Flora (mover) and Pellerin (second) were recorded as moving the resolution forward. The clerk later reported that the motion had 14 votes and would proceed; the roll was left open.

The resolution, as presented in committee, contains policy language urging federal authorities to maintain adequate staffing for the U.S. Forest Service to support wildfire prevention, habitat protection and rural economies. The committee did not take further amendments on the record during the hearing; the resolution was adopted by the committee and will proceed as its next steps require.