U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, both representing Washington state, have taken action to address concerns regarding the staffing and maintenance of national forest trails. They joined colleagues in sending a letter to Tom Schultz, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), urging for clarification on issues highlighted in a recent internal report about the National Trail Program.
The senators expressed their dismay over a December 2025 report that indicates significant challenges in sustaining trail operations and access to recreational areas. The report warns that without strategic investments, there may be a decline in public access and overall satisfaction for trail users. Cantwell and Murray pointed out that the public land recreation economy contributes over $350 million daily to the national economy, totaling $128 billion annually. The National Forest System (NFS) alone features more than 164,000 miles of trails, attracting approximately 84 million visitors each year and supporting 143,000 jobs through recreation and tourism spending.
In their letter, the senators noted, “The findings that public access and overall recreation satisfaction ‘will continue to decline in 2026 and beyond without direction to prioritize investments into these programs’ is troubling.” This statement underscores the importance of the National Scenic and Historic Trails, which Congress has designated for the Forest Service’s management.
Concerns Over Staffing and Layoffs
The urgency of the situation has been amplified by layoffs within the USFS and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In March 2025, following widespread firings, Cantwell and Murray reached out to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Chief Schultz. They requested the immediate reinstatement of personnel, particularly those in Washington state who were certified for wildland firefighting. The senators emphasized that these layoffs primarily affected frontline staff responsible for maintaining trails and ensuring their safety for visitors.
Alongside Cantwell and Murray, a coalition of 22 Senate Democrats, led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), signed the letter, reflecting a growing concern among lawmakers about the state of national forest trails and the commitment to public land management.
The full text of the letter can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/wad34zx. As the dialogue continues, the senators are advocating for a renewed focus on funding and support for the National Trail Program to preserve the integrity and accessibility of these invaluable public resources.
