Forest Service Plans to Close Two Research Labs in Washington

The agency aims to consolidate research operations and relocate its headquarters from D.C. to Utah.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:54pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of an empty, sunlit interior space with wooden desks, bookshelves, and scientific equipment, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the potential loss of important research capabilities.The closure of two Forest Service research labs in Washington state raises concerns about the future of forestry science and policy in the region.Olympia Today

The U.S. Forest Service plans to close two of its research labs in Washington state, part of a broader restructuring that will shutter 57 of the agency's 77 research facilities nationwide. The closures will impact labs in Seattle and Wenatchee, while the state office in Olympia will remain open. The Forest Service also plans to relocate its headquarters from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City, Utah, and consolidate research management in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Why it matters

The closure of the Washington labs raises concerns about the future of forestry research, particularly east of the Cascades where different forest types require specialized management strategies. The labs have informed state and local policy decisions and supported academic programs, so their closure could disrupt important research and collaboration.

The details

As part of the administrative overhaul, the Forest Service plans to relocate its headquarters from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City, Utah, and consolidate management of research labs into one location in Fort Collins, Colorado. The goal is to get staff closer to the roughly 90% of the federal lands managed by the agency. The agency says scientists will not lose their jobs and research programs will not be ended.

  • The Forest Service announced the reorganization plans last month.
  • The closures of the Seattle and Wenatchee labs are expected to happen over the coming year.

The players

U.S. Forest Service

A federal agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture that manages and protects 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands in the United States.

Tom Schultz

Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, who was appointed in February 2025 and is pushing the internal policy changes, including plans to 'redefine the nature' of the agency's manual and handbooks.

Dave Upthegrove

Washington Public Lands Commissioner who runs the Department of Natural Resources, and hopes the restructuring will lead to closer coordination between state and federal agencies.

Nick Smith

Public affairs director for the American Forest Resource Council, a regional timber trade group, who says he hopes the reorganization will lead to more shared stewardship of forestlands between federal, state and tribal governments.

Brooke Rollins

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who is behind the agency's relocation mandates.

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What they’re saying

“This is about building a Forest Service that is nimble, efficient, effective and closer to the forests and communities it serves.”

— Tom Schultz, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service

“I'm less worried about a need to reorganize than I am about the political environment in which it's being done.”

— Bill Gaines, Former Forest Service wildlife ecologist

“We want to ensure that consolidating locations doesn't result in any loss of the valuable scientific research underway.”

— Dave Upthegrove, Washington Public Lands Commissioner

“The Forest Service cannot manage all those acres on its own. He said he hopes the reorganization will lead to federal and state agencies and tribal governments engaging in more shared stewardship of forestlands.”

— Nick Smith, Public affairs director, American Forest Resource Council

“Deregulation is the top priority for our agency.”

— Tom Schultz, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This restructuring of the U.S. Forest Service raises concerns about the future of vital forestry research, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, and the potential impacts on state and local policy decisions. It also highlights the political environment shaping the agency's priorities under new leadership.