PA and NY Included in National Forest Re-Organization

The U.S. Forest Service is naming Warren, Pennsylvania as headquarters for a new Mid-Atlantic and New England region as part of a nationwide restructuring. The reorganization shifts the agency from nine large regions to 15 state-aligned offices. Warren’s office will oversee Forest Service operations across 13 states including Pennsylvania and New York. The Allegheny National Forest previously fell under the Eastern Region headquartered in Milwaukee. Ranger District offices in Bradford and Marienville are not affected by the change. Congressman G.T. Thompson called the move a positive step for more efficient management of the Allegheny National Forest. Critics say the restructuring amounts to a costly bureaucratic reshuffle that could reduce protections for public lands.