U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar Press Forest Service on Boundary Waters Visitor Permit Disruptions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) are pressing the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) over recentreportingabout dramatic staffing and budget cuts at USFS that will negatively impact local economies across Minnesota and make it more difficult for visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to receive necessary permits. Specifically, the Senators probed USFS Chief Tom Schultz for more clarity on the full extent of the staffing cuts at USFS and the public safety, economic, and environmental impacts this will have on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and the Superior and Chippewa National Forests.
“In Minnesota, the Superior National Forest, Chippewa National Forest, and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness attract over 1.5 million visitors annually. This results in an economic impact of nearly $200 million to the communities around these critical public lands. Efforts to reduce the Forest Service’s workforce raise doubts about the agency’s ability to manage forests against risks like wildfire while preparing visitors to both enjoy and respect the land,” wrote the Senators.
“The administration of over 5,000 permits will now largely be the burden of local small businesses, who are concerned about their ability to administer this volume of permits. In addition, we are concerned that basic maintenance and management of the Boundary Waters will suffer without dedicated staff working to safely clear canoe portage trails and campsites.”the Senators continued.
The Senators posed several questions to the Trump Administration, including:
Read a full copy of the letterhereand below.
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