Forest Service to close Grangeville offices In a cost-cutting move estimated to save up to $300,000 per year, the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests are phasing out occupancy of leased Forest Offices on Airport Road in Grangeville, Idaho. The Forests will begin vacating the space in October 2024 and completely vacate the buildings by 2027. Employees currently located in the Grangeville office will begin reporting to assigned duty stations in Kamiah, Slate Creek, Elk City and Kooskia this summer. Services continue to be available by calling the Slate Creek Ranger Station at 208-839-2211 and in person at Forest Service Offices in Slate Creek, Elk City, Kooskia, Kamiah, Potlatch, Orofino, Lowell and at the Lolo Pass Visitor Center. Many services are also available online at www.fs.usda.gov/nezperceclearwater, including road, trail, and campground information. Firewood permits can be obtained in person at any Forest Service Office or by calling the Forest Supervisor’s Office at 208-935-2513. The decision is part of a nationwide Forest Service strategy to respond to “flat” appropriations and increased leasing costs, paired with the increased costs to maintain agency-owned facilities. “This action aligns with agency direction to end high-cost leases where possible and focus available funding on maintaining existing Forest Service owned facilities,” acting Forest Supervisor Molly Ryan explained. “These are difficult decisions that we know impact employees and the community.” The Grangeville Air Center which hosts the Grangeville smokejumpers, helitack crew, and the single engine air tanker base is not impacted by this consolidation. The Grangeville Air Center facilities are in Forest Service owned buildings at the edge of the Idaho County airport. “We will continue to explore options to better serve the Grangeville area and commit to continuing to be a part of the local community now and into the future,” Ryan remarked. “This is one of many difficult decisions being made across the country to reduce lease costs and use that money to better serve the public.”
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