GRAND RAPIDS — The U.S. Forest Service’s Grand Rapids research office on the Minnesota North College-Itasca campus is slated to close amid a major reorganization of the agency announced Tuesday, March 31.
The facility is one of 47 research and development facilities that the Forest Service said will close. Minnesota’s other research station facility in St. Paul will remain open.
As part of the overhaul, the agency will move its headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City and transitioning from its current regional organizational model to a state-based model. A news release from the Forest Service said the shift is "a common-sense approach to improve mission delivery."
"This is about building a Forest Service that is nimble, efficient, effective and closer to the forests and communities it serves," said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz in the release. "Effective stewardship and active management are achieved on the ground, where forests and communities are found — not just behind a desk in the capital. Through this transition, we will strengthen our connection to the forests and the people who depend on them, while supporting our employees and honoring the dedication that has always defined our service."
Ely was also listed as one of the research and development facility locations to be closed. But the only research facility in Ely is the Kawishiwi Experimental Forest, and experimental forests are not believed to be part of the research closures. It is unclear what facility in Ely is meant to be closing.
A request for additional details from the Forest Service was not returned as of Thursday evening.
Kawishiwi is one of four experimental forests in Minnesota on the Chippewa and Superior national forests. It is unclear how research in these forests will be impacted by the Grand Rapids office closure.
Research conducted in Northern Minnesota facilities has been key to scientific understanding of peatland ecosystems, environmental mercury pollution and managing red pine forests.
Few details about the impacts of the Forest Service's reorganization at large were available as of Thursday.
The Forest Service said the national fire response coordination system, which includes the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center in Grand Rapids, will not be impacted by the reorganization.
A spokesperson said in a statement Thursday the announcement includes no changes to forest or district offices or their staffing.
"The Superior and Chippewa National Forests are committed to ensuring that all operations — including wildfire readiness and response — continue without interruption," the statement read.
