The workforce in the Tongass National Forest has seen significant growth in recent years, thanks to federal funding for maintenance and recreation projects. The Great American Outdoors Act in 2020 allocated $62 million for long-deferred maintenance, while the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021 added another $36 million for recreation projects [36cf9cbb].
As a result of this funding, the U.S. Forest Service has been able to double the number of full-time jobs for recreation operations and nearly double the positions for their Heritage Program. Additionally, they have introduced 22 new staff positions for the special uses program [36cf9cbb].
However, despite the increase in positions, filling and maintaining all the new roles has proven to be a challenge. Currently, 30% of the jobs on the new permitting team remain vacant, and there has been a 20% staff turnover in recent years [36cf9cbb].
The expansion of the workforce in the Tongass National Forest demonstrates a commitment to the preservation and management of this vital ecosystem. By investing in staffing and resources, the Forest Service aims to ensure the effective protection and sustainable use of the forest's resources [36cf9cbb].