Trump admin moves Forest Service HQ to Utah in latest DC relocation push

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the move Tuesday and said it will begin a sweeping restructuring of the agency, relocating leadership and redistributing authority across the country in an effort officials say will improve decision-making, cut costs and strengthen hiring.

The shift represents a significant structural change to how the Forest Service operates, moving top leadership and key functions closer to the western states where the majority of national forest land is located and where wildfire risk and land management demands are most concentrated.

"Establishing a western headquarters in Salt Lake City and streamlining how the Forest Service is organized will position the Chief and operational leaders closer to the landscapes we manage and the people who depend on them."

Under the plan, the agency will adopt a state-based structure designed to push more authority out of Washington and into the field.

Fifteen state directors will oversee operations nationwide, managing forest supervisors, setting priorities and coordinating with state, tribal and local partners. Each office will be supported by small teams handling communications, legislative affairs and intergovernmental work.

The restructuring will eliminate the agency's regional office system, with all regional offices set to close as part of the transition. Many administrative functions will shift to service centers across the country, while officials said frontline operations, including wildfire response, will remain unchanged. The changes are expected to roll out over the coming year.

The push comes despite some high-profile proposals that have not materialized, including earlier discussions about moving the FBI headquarters out of Washington.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox hailed the relocation as a "big win for Utah and the West."

"This isn't symbolic. It means better, faster decisions on the ground. Everyone who depends on our public lands, from hikers and campers to ranchers and timber producers, will benefit from this change. Moving away from a regional model to a more state-focused approach strengthens federalism and helps the Forest Service do its job more effectively."