McArthur Forest Research Station Among 57 Facilities Facing Possible Closure
A federal research station in McArthur could close as Trump administration proposes eliminating Forest Service research funding nationwide.
MCARTHUR, OHIO — A U.S. Forest Service research station in McArthur is among 57 facilities nationwide “under evaluation” for possible closure as part of a national reorganization announced at the end of March by the Trump administration.
The potential closure comes as the Forest Service released a budget proposal this month asking to terminate forest and rangeland research entirely, with plans to transfer research responsibilities to universities and the private sector, according to WOUB Public Media reporting.
National Reorganization Plan
The closures are part of a broader plan that moves the U.S. Forest Service headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah, aiming to “streamline” the agency. The reorganization was announced by the Trump administration as part of its restructuring of federal agencies.
Critics of the plan have characterized it as an effort to cut the agency’s staff and funding rather than genuine streamlining, according to reports.
Impact on Ohio Forestry Research
The McArthur Research Station has served as a regional hub for forest and rangeland research in Ohio. If closed, the facility would join dozens of other research stations across the country that could be shuttered under the reorganization plan.
The Forest Service’s proposal to eliminate forest and rangeland research represents a shift in how the federal government approaches environmental and forestry science. Under the proposed changes, universities and private sector organizations would be expected to fill the research gap left by the closure of federal facilities.
Timeline and Next Steps
The evaluation of the 57 research stations, including McArthur, is ongoing as part of the March reorganization announcement. No timeline has been provided for when final closure decisions will be made.
The budget proposal eliminating forest research funding would need congressional approval to move forward. The fate of individual research stations like McArthur remains tied to the broader reorganization and budget approval process.
