Senator Heinrich Urges End to Staff Shortages in Park and Forest Services

Staffing Crisis in Public Lands Agencies

• ⚠️ Senator Martin Heinrich expresses deep concern over the "bleeding of staff" from the Park Service and Forest Service due to riffs, unlawful terminations, and forced requirements.
• 🎯 This staffing shortage is leaving the Park Service without sufficient EMTs and the Forest Service with an inadequate number of qualified firefighters.

Proposed Amendment for Minimum Hiring Requirements

• 💡 Heinrich's amendment would mandate the Department of Interior and Forest Service to hire and maintain a workable minimum number of full-time employees.
• 🔑 This is crucial for effectively managing wildfire preparedness, suppression, and other mission-critical support.
• 🌲 Similarly, the Park Service would be required to maintain a minimum number of full-time employees for the successful operation of National Park units.

Restoring Workforce Levels

• 📈 The amendment proposes that agencies maintain at least the number of full-time employees employed at the end of fiscal year 2020, described as a "workable workforce."
• 🗣️ Heinrich urges colleagues to speak directly with rank-and-file employees to understand the severity of the situation on the ground.
• ✅ He acknowledges the work done by Chair Mowsky and Ranking Member Mkeley on the bill but stresses the need for adequate staffing to execute its provisions.