Western Governors have voiced their support for the creation of state director positions within the U.S. Forest Service as the agency undergoes restructuring. In a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, governors noted that the change is intended to move agency leadership closer to the communities being served.
In a letter signed by Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who serves as WGA Chair, and Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green, the Vice Chair, the Western Governors' Association expressed optimism regarding the new state-based model. The governors stated that the model should improve communication between the agency and states and territories.
According to the letter, the new positions are intended to promote coordination regarding rangeland and forest management, wildfire mitigation and response, and recreational use. The Western Governors' Association indicated a commitment to working with the agency during this transformational change.
The decision to establish these positions comes as the U.S. Forest Service restructures and reorganizes its leadership structure.
