National Forest Service to combine Big Timber and Livingston Ranger Districts
In an effort to reduce costs and manage its budget, the National Forest Service announced the combination of the Big Timber and Livingston Ranger Districts on Tuesday. The two districts will form the new Yellowstone Ranger District.
“Like many Americans, the Gallatin National Forest is tightening our financial belt to live within our means,” the Forest Service announced in a press release. “Over the past few years the Forest undertook a re-organization effort to reduce fixed costs and allow for some budget flexibility. The consolidation of the Big Timber and Livingston Ranger Districts into the Yellowstone Ranger District is a component of this re-organization effort.”
The Forest Service said that the offices of both the Big Timber and Livingston Ranger Districts will be maintained. The new Yellowstone Ranger District will be based in Big Timber and with a Deputy District Ranger office to be stationed in Livingston.
“The Forest wanted to reduce higher-level, higher-paid positions and divert some of the cost savings towards more field-going jobs,” said Mary Erickson, Gallatin and Custer forest supervisor. “We chose to locate the Yellowstone District Ranger in Big Timber and Sweet Grass County given the Gardiner District and ranger in Gardiner work closely with Park County.”
The Forest Service said citizens in Livingston and Big Timber will still be able to buy maps, Christmas tree and firewood permits locally. Certain other needs may require travel to the new Yellowstone Ranger District office.
“It is more important now than ever to ensure you are planning ahead and giving the Forest Service enough time to respond to your request,” Erickson said.
The changes outlined Tuesday will be phased in over the course of the summer. New signage identifying the Yellowstone Ranger District and the new status of the former Big Timber Ranger District and Livingston Ranger District will be posted in the coming months.
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- Entrance fees waived at Yellowstone National Park for National Park Week
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