I’m urging the people of Snohomish County to contact your local representatives and ask them to defend United States Forest Service land and demand a return to normal staffing levels.
The Trump administration has illegally fired more than 3,000 National Forest Service workers. Snohomish County is home to numerous beloved trails and campsites within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Big Four Ice Caves, Lake 22, Heather Lake, and Barlow Pass are just a few. These lands are our backyard, and they are under threat. Without the critical work of our forest service rangers, bathrooms will overflow, vandalism will run rampant, trails will remain damaged and inaccessible, and campgrounds may well may close. Not to mention we’ll be ill-equipped to take on fire season this summer.
The Forest Service was already woefully understaffed and underfunded before this unlawful downsizing. Now, the Trump administration is setting the stage to crater public interest and justify the sell-off of millions of acres of our forests to corporate interests. Don’t believe me? Read Project 2025. Most of what Trump has done in his first four weeks is straight out of the Heritage Foundation’s playbook.
If you care about our parks, our trails, our campgrounds, and want to protect them for future generations to enjoy, please call, write, and email the folks who represent you in the other Washington. And while you’re at it, contact your local ranger station and thank the people who are still there for their service.
Shannon Ozog Somes
Monroe
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