It was supposed to be a simple question about campgrounds

I have been trying to figure out how our local Forest Service offices will operate this summer with DOGE staffing cuts. 

In previous times, this would have been a 15-minute phone call, tops. Asking about how campgrounds, trails and roads will be managed isn’t out of the ordinary, especially as we enter a new season. Now, I am being passed around from local public information officer to regional press desk. Anytime I contact anyone, they have to contact someone else before they can give me a blanket statement. 

“The Forest Service remains committed to ensuring public health and safety while balancing access to recreation areas during this transitional time. Recreation services and public access are vital to local economies. It is our intent to maintain access to recreation opportunities to the greatest degree possible,” attributable to USDA Spokesperson, from the National Press Desk, is the best I’ve got so far. 

Privately and off the record, I have been told that the Forest Service will be relying largely on volunteer help this summer to keep things running. Teams that used to have double-digit staff are now single digits in some cases. As far as I know, the reduction in force is continuing. 

But how can I verify that when no one will go on the record for fear of losing their job?

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I see no exemption for the questions, “How many people have been laid off from Bighorn National Forest?” or “How will the Forest Service manage public lands with a reduced staff?” 

However, according to the foia.gov website, a FOIA request can take 81 working days for simple requests or 218 working days for complex requests. And who knows if staff cuts will make that wait even longer. 

How has something that should have taken me a matter of minutes turned into a complex request?

I’m not saying anything new here. We all know this reform has been messy and lacked transparency. And we are all waiting to see how it will impact our local communities.