Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Shutdown plans reveal extent of Trump layoffs at Interior
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Friday, October 3, 2025
Interior department building in Washington, D.C.; Source: Matthew G. Bisanz/Wikimedia ([link removed])

Contingency plans ([link removed]) released by the federal government ahead of the ongoing shutdown reveal the Interior department has lost around ([link removed]) 14 percent ([link removed]) of its total staff since September 2024.

The National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey have faced the most significant cuts ([link removed]) under the Trump administration. USGS reports a 19 percent reduction in staff since September 2024, having gone from 8,400 employees to 6,780. The NPS reports a 33 percent reduction in staff, having gone from 21,870 employees to 14,500.

The only office within Interior that has gained employees is the Office of the Interior Secretary. Staffing in Secretary Doug Burgum's office increased by 148 percent, up from 3,300 in 2024 to nearly 8,200. This increase is due to the consolidation of IT, communications, and other functions into Burgum's office, according to E&E News ([link removed]) .

Despite having already carried out deep cuts at Interior, the White House is threatening to carry out ([link removed]) another reduction in force, or RIF, during the government shut down.

“This is unprecedented,” Jenny Mattingley, vice president of government affairs for the Partnership for Public Service, told E&E News ([link removed]) . “We've not had an administration, to my recollection, talk about RIF-ing employees during a shutdown.”

Lee files bill weakening protections for public lands at US-Mexico border

Senator Mike Lee of Utah says his bill seeks to address ([link removed]) the impacts of immigration on public lands near the country's southern border by allowing more road building and development on public lands. A fact sheet about the bill ([link removed]) says it will allow the Department of Homeland Security to build roads on public lands and to conduct "necessary operations" in wilderness areas to secure the border. It also prohibits the "housing" of undocumented immigrants on public land.


** Quick hits
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National parks will remain "generally" open during the shutdown, but Maroon Bells access appears day-to-day

Colorado Sun ([link removed])

Opinion: The government has shut down. National parks should close their gates

Outside ([link removed])

Trump targets Rock Springs resource management plan in Wyoming

E&E News ([link removed])

A top Trump Interior official once pushed to privatize wildlife

Public Domain ([link removed])

La Plata County commissioners back roadless rule with letter to USDA

Durango Herald ([link removed])

Opinion: Americans loudly tell the Forest Service to not rescind the 'Roadless Rule'

Outdoor News ([link removed])

Trump is redirecting funds to keep national parks open. Last time this raised legal concerns

NOTUS ([link removed])

New report calls for policy changes with Colorado River 'on the cusp of failure'

CPR ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” There is no reason to redo a plan finalized less than a year ago, after decades of local input. Rewriting the plan now, especially through this fast-tracked amendment process, will undercut years of community work and end up excluding the voices of those who live, work, and recreate in southwest Wyoming.”

—Julia Stuble, Wyoming state director for the Wilderness Society, E&E News ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@COParksWildlife ([link removed])
The view earlier this week 🍂

The Pearl Lake Trail is a 3.5-mile out-and-back path that starts at Pearl Lake State Park and leads into Routt National Forest. Learn more about this trail on our COTREX App: [link removed] ([link removed])

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