A more measured approach should be taken to reducing the size of the federal workforce, according to the McCall City Council.
On Monday, the city sent letters to Gov. Brad Little, each member of Idaho’s congressional delegation in Washington D.C., and newly appointed Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz.
The letters, which are signed by McCall Mayor Bob Giles, ask each official to “advocate for the restoration of critical funding and staffing levels” within the agencies, citing wildfire risk and economic stability in Valley County.
“These investments are not only essential for public safety and environmental conservation, but also for sustaining the economic viability of our region,” the letter said.
The letter added that the city supports “improving government efficiency and managing taxpayer dollars effectively,” but in a way that does not “undermine core capabilities.”
In February, 42 probationary employees with the Payette National Forest were fired as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s federal workforce cuts. Those employees have since been re-instated amid legal challenges and are expected to return to duty on Monday, Sara Kososik, a union representative for the Payette, told Valley Lookout.
Last week, federal agencies were required to submit plans for further workforce cuts, known as Reduction in Force, though the impacts of those plans remain unclear, Kososik said.
Wildfire impacts
The city is bracing for further cuts on the Forest Service, which included 19 Boise National Forest employees, to leave gaps in wildfire risk management work.
“Without adequate personnel and resources, state and local governments and rural communities will be left to shoulder an increasing burden of land management responsibilities without the expertise or funding to do so effectively,” the letter said.
That could include vegetation management, research, and modeling fire risk to inform strategies—all functions that have been performed by the Forest Service, according to the letter.
Most of Valley County, which is about 90% forest land, is mapped as being at high risk of wildfire.
Local economy
The city’s letter also cited the economic impact of the cuts on the Forest Service, which is among the largest employers in Valley and Adams counties, according to Idaho Department of Labor data.
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In 2023, employment in Valley County ranged from 250 to 499 employees, while employment in Adams County ranged from 100 to 249 employees.
The city worries that the layoffs will be felt beyond the confines of the Forest Service itself.
“The lands that the Forest Service manages support industries like timber, mining, ranching, and recreation and tourism—industries vital to rural economies, including McCall’s,” the letter said.
The city has also “observed that the suddenness with which layoffs were implemented has caused a great deal of personal distress for affected members of our community.”
Congressional staff respond
Staffers for Sen. Jim Risch, Sen. Mike Crapo, and Rep. Mike Simpson each provided statements to Valley Lookout in response to the city’s letter.
Madison Hardy, a press secretary for Risch, said the senator supports the federal workforce reduction efforts and is working with Schultz, the new Forest Service chief, to “correct longstanding inadequacies in federal wildfire prevention” that place Idaho communities at increasing risk of wildfires.
“He is aware of potential impacts on Idaho and is working to ensure that the needs of Idaho communities are properly met,” Hardy said.
Simpson’s press secretary, Lexi Hamel, said Simpson is “in close contact with agency and department officials to gather information and assess the potential impacts in Idaho.”
“He remains actively engaged and committed to addressing this situation,” Hamel said. “While Congressman Simpson recognizes that change can be difficult, he shares the Trump administration’s goal of reducing the size of America’s federal government.”
Meanwhile, Crapo’s office provided a statement directly from the senator, who is “optimistic the restructured and streamlined work of the federal government will more effectively meet the long-term needs of Idaho’s communities.”
“As each federal agency takes independent action to examine its workforce and ensure it meets agency prerogatives and needs, I am in touch with the Administration about the impacts on Idaho,” Crapo said.
Crapo also touted the benefit of Schultz, who formerly helmed the Idaho Department of Lands and was an executive with Idaho Forest Group in Coeur d’Alene, serving as the Forest Service’s new chief.
“His deep, on-the-ground experience in Idaho will be valuable in developing policies for the viability of our forests,” Crapo said.
Valley Lookout did not receive responses to requests for comment from the offices of Little or Rep. Russ Fulcher, whose congressional district includes Valley County.
