HomeMy WebLinkAboutConcern Re UDSA Forest Service Reorganization April 2026City of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249, 805.781.7114,
slocity.org
April 21, 2026
The Honorable Salud O. Carbajal
United States House of Representatives
2331 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Re: Concern Regarding UDSA Forest Service Reorganization
Dear Congressman Carbajal:
On behalf of the City of San Luis Obispo, I write to express concern regarding the proposed
reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service and its potential impacts on wildfire preparedness, scientific
research capacity, and natural resource management in California and within our own community.
The City of San Luis Obispo (“City”) prioritizes climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and the
protection of natural resources. The City supports policies and funding that enhance wildfire risk
reduction, improve forest health, and strengthen science-based approaches to land management.
Recent federal actions raise concerns about their cumulative impact on the State’s progress in
protecting natural resources and advancing effective forest management. This issue is particularly
important given the City’s proximity to federally managed lands, including areas adjacent to Los
Padres National Forest and the Santa Lucia Wilderness. These interconnected landscapes rely on
Forest Service research, coordination, and expertise to inform local and regional land management
and wildfire preparedness.
Reductions in research capacity and workforce expertise may hinder progress toward shared goals
related to wildfire risk reduction, forest health, and climate resilience, while disruptions to long-
standing programs could limit the ability of local and state partners to prepare for and respond to
increasingly severe wildfire events.
The City respectfully requests your support in preserving and strengthening U.S. Forest Service
scientific research capacity, sustaining federal investment in wildfire mitigation and preparedness,
and ensuring that organizational changes do not undermine critical regional expertise and
coordination.
We appreciate your ongoing leadership on issues affecting the Central Coast and look forward to
continued collaboration to advance shared goals related to public safety, environmental
stewardship, and climate resilience.
Sincerely,
Erica A. Stewart
Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo
cc: US Senator Alex Padilla
US Senator Adam Schiff
Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council
Senator John Laird
Assemblymember Dawn Addis
Dave Mullinax, League of California Cities
League of California Cities, cityletters@cacities.org