Gallatin County Commission passes resolution in support of fired USFS workers

BOZEMAN, Mont. - Tuesday morning the Gallatin County Commission voted to pass a resolution in support of the USFS workers who were fired last month in the wake of federal job cuts from the Trump administration. 

The Custer-Gallatin National Forest saw around 30 probationary employees lose their jobs. 

Arianna Knight, a USFS worker for seven years, was one of those fired. Almost two years ago she was promoted to the position of trail supervisor for the Yellowstone Ranger District, a position that is probationary its first two years. Before she could finish those two years, she lost her job. 

“A lot of people lost their careers; entire programs were completely dismantled. And with everything that's been going on, I've been going for a ride with it,” she said. 

As trail supervisor, she oversaw the crew that manages 800 miles of trails in the Yellowstone District. She also organized with nonprofits who do volunteer work on the trails. 

Last week, the Federal Merit Systems Protection Board ordered the USFS to temporarily restore the probationary workers until April, meanwhile the court system can determine if the firings were legal. Wednesday is the last day Arianna could be notified to return to her job, but so far, she has not heard any word. 

“Right now, things are just very unknown. And it takes quite an emotional toll on myself,” Knight said. 

The county commission plans to send the resolution to Montana’s Washington D.C. delegation, as it urges them to work to restore the probationary positions, said Commissioner Jennifer Boyer. 

 “Everybody in our community really connects and values our outdoor, outdoors as well as, our ecosystem services, fish and wildlife,” Boyer said. And when we undermine the support in the science and the active management of those resources, it impacts our communities.” 

The commission is also concerned about the impact of these firings at the county level. A fuel and fire mitigation project that was in early development has been suspended, Boyer said.