USDA Reorganization Can Move Forward After Judge Rejects Challenge
A federal judge in San Francisco declined to block the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) reorganization for now.
In her ruling, Judge Susan Illston rejected a bid from federal labor unions including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and nonprofit groups to include the USDA relocation in a broader lawsuit challenging federal workforce layoffs. She also rejected their request for a preliminary injunction.
"The proposed supplemental claims would inject factually and legally distinct issues into this already complicated litigation," wrote Judge Illston.
However, Judge Illston did not rule on whether the USDA’s planned reorganization is lawful and instead said the claims could be contested in a separate lawsuit.
The plaintiffs argue that the reorganization is an attempt to reduce USDA’s workforce without congressional authorization.
The USDA says the reorganization is necessary to cut costs, unload unneeded federal real estate, and bring the workforce closer to the people it serves.
Five Regional Hubs
The plan includes moving USDA headquarters operations and employees from the Washington, D.C., area to five regional hubs (Raleigh, NC; Kansas City, MO; Indianapolis, IN; Fort Collins, CO; Salt Lake City, UT). About 2,500 employees are expected to be relocated as part of the broader restructuring, leaving about 2,000 employees in the National Capital Region (NRC).
Employees at the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) are being relocated to Kansas City. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is moving employees to locations including Dallas and Indianapolis.
The U.S. Forest Service is moving its headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Salt Lake City, Utah, with the move expected to be completed by summer 2027.
Forest Service Closures
Speaking of the U.S. Forest Service– it is closing 23 research and development stations in a dozen states as part of the reorganization. The 95 employees at affected facilities will be moved to other work locations within their commuting areas. The administration says the move will save about $16 million.
“Our primary goal was to get our facilities costs under control,” said Forest Service Associate Chief Chris French. “We’re not closing any ongoing science activities. We’re not closing any of the experimental forests that are important to our researchers.”
An additional 41 R&D centers were spared from closing after members of Congress and local leaders raised concerns.
Conservation groups have criticized the changes, warning that they could reduce access to forests and threaten wildlife habitat and clean air and water.
