Chief Tom Schultz details, defends largest Forest Service reorganization in a century

By: Mike Koshmrl

Outlets: Idaho Capital Sun

Published: July 3, 2026

Words: 2,094

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 5 days ago


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This story was first published by WyoFile on July 2, 2026.

PARK CITY, UTAH — The U.S. Forest Service received roughly 300 applications for the 15 new state director jobs created during a major agency reorganization that’s dissolving regional offices the agency’s first chief, Gifford Pinchot, created nearly 120 years ago.

That’s 20 applications per job, on average, for well-paying “senior executive service” positions at a federal agency that employs roughly 30,000 staff.

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