New Forest Bill Mandates Immediate Hiring Surge and Restores Fired Forest Service Employees

The Save Our Forests Act of 2025 is straightforward: it aims to bolster the U.S. Forest Service immediately by increasing staffing and ensuring that authorized conservation and infrastructure projects keep moving forward. The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture—the boss of the Forest Service—to use existing funds to hire more people within 30 days. The goal is to bring staffing levels up to a point where they can actually keep the National Forest System lands healthy, diverse, and productive (SEC. 3).

The Staffing Surge: More Boots on the Ground

This isn't just about filling vacancies; it's a mandate to increase capacity. For the average person who uses National Forests for hiking, camping, or hunting, this means better-maintained trails, faster responses to wildfires, and more effective management of natural resources. Think of it like this: if you’re trying to manage a massive operation—say, the entire network of National Forests—you need enough workers to do the job right. The bill acknowledges that the current staffing might not be cutting it, requiring the Secretary to hire “enough” staff to meet the health and productivity goals of the land (SEC. 3).

A Political HR Mandate

One of the most specific and unusual provisions is the immediate reinstatement of any Forest Service employee who was fired or forced out of their job between January 20, 2025, and the day this law passes (SEC. 3). This is a direct reversal of personnel decisions made during a specific recent window. While it brings experienced people back to the job, it’s a provision that steps directly into departmental HR decisions. If you were a former employee during that period, you’re back on the payroll immediately, using existing funds. This could be a quick win for staffing, but it also creates a bit of administrative friction, especially if those positions were legitimately eliminated or if the department had already hired replacements.

Keeping the Projects Rolling

For those relying on infrastructure improvements or recreation enhancements, Section 4 is the key. The bill mandates that the Secretary must continue carrying out all Forest Service projects that have already been authorized or funded under several major existing laws, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. This means projects like bridge repairs in National Forests, new trail construction, or campground upgrades that were already planned and funded cannot be paused or canceled. The intent here is continuity—ensuring that taxpayer money already allocated for specific projects is actually spent on those projects, which is good news for the contractors and workers involved, and for the public who uses those facilities.