24 DECEMBER 2021 | WASHINGTON — It’s again unclear when Forest Service employees will be required to return to the office, according to a December 22 mail call issued by Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. This also leaves in question the opening of the many shuttered ranger stations and visitor centers that once served as the primary outward-facing function of the agency.
For employees who are currently teleworking, “we do not expect you to begin returning to the physical workplace…until further notice.” the memo reads. The department plans to provide further details by January 14 of next year.
Thousands of USDA employees never left the physical workplace, according to the letter. The development comes a few weeks after West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin grilled Deputy Forest Chief Chris French during a live committee hearing. “Nobody’s coming to work,” Manchin growled.
French went on to explain that trails could be lost without more investment. Read a summary of the hearing here.
