$ 564 million in budget cuts offered at the USGS will know the science that helps fight avian flu, monitor droughts, follow forest fires
Some 19 senators, including American senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, united to call on Trump administration against US Geological Survey (USGS) and the main scientific programs of the agency.
In their letter to the interior secretary Doug Burgum, the senators warned that the president’s proposal to reduce $ 564 million in the USGS – as well as plans to dismiss hundreds of scientists and research centers potentially close to the country – would date public security and underlie crucial scientific research.
The American Senators of Colorado, John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, met with the Southeast Colorado Water Conservation Board to announce major funding from the national invoice for project infrastructure. Photo by Greg Felt.
“The proposed budget cuts do not concern” efficiency “- they represent a retirement of federal responsibility and a dismantling of the scientific infrastructure on which communities, industries and governments depend,” the senators wrote.
“These proposed budgetary reductions could mean the abandonment of research and surveillance that help farmers protect themselves from fauna diseases such as avian flu, delaying the moment when water and real-time risks are provided for a response to disasters and the end of collaborations that monitor invasive species, harmful algae flowers and the risks of forest,” they added.
Think of the problems here in the West: USGS is a key scientific agency that monitors and analyzes the country’s resources, including water, natural risks and energy. Scientific expertise and robust data collection efforts of the USGS support the protection of the public, the safeguarding of our environment and the strengthening of our economy.
They argue that: “The potential termination of USGs leases, including many water science centers, climate adaptation science centers and ecosystem research centers, threaten regional scientific capacity at a time when local expertise and sciences based on the place are most necessary.”
The budget for the President’s 2026 financial year (the “Big Budget Beautiful” which includes tax discounts for super rich) offers a reduction of $ 564 million to the USGS budget.
Hickenlooper and Bennet previously took the alarm concerning the first reports according to which the Trump administration planned to end 17 leases for the Federal Installations of Colorado which support the efforts of state fauna.
The full text of the letter is available below:
Dear Burgum secretary,
We write to express their concern concerning recent actions and proposed by the Ministry of Effectiveness of the Government (DOGE) and the larger administrative decisions which threaten together the integrity and continuity of the US Geological Survey (USGS). More specifically, the potential dismissal of the General Services Administration (GSA) is in the process of supporting the Centers of the USGS across the country – alongside the budget cut offered by the USGS of $ 564 million and the planned endings of hundreds of scientists – represent a multi -pont assault against the country’s scientific infrastructure.
The USGS is a leading science agency with an essential role in monitoring and analyzing the country’s resources, in particular water, ecosystems, natural risks, minerals and energy. Its scientific expertise and robust data collection efforts support public security, environmental management and national economic resilience. USGS work underpins the ability of federal, state and local governments, tribal nations, industry and communities to make informed decisions, in particular in fields such as disaster preparation, climate adaptation, water resources management and the protection of ecosystems.
The proposed budget cuts do not concern “efficiency” – they represent a retirement of federal responsibility and a dismantling of the scientific infrastructure on which communities, industries and governments depend. The USGS supports the work that directly protects public health, strengthens our economy and informs preparation and response to disasters. These proposed budget cuts could signify the abandonment of research and surveillance that help farmers protect themselves against fauna diseases such as avian flu, delaying the moment when water and real -time dangers are provided for a response to disasters and the end of collaborations that monitor invasive species, harmful algae proliferations and forest risks. Although these impacts are not yet some, they represent serious risks for communities, tribes, governments of states and premises and natural resources managers that depend on the science of the USGS to make informed and often save decisions. As demonstrated throughout its almost 150 years of existence, the science of the USGS is not optional; It is essential.
The potential end of USGS leases, including many water science centers, climate adaptation science centers and research centers on ecosystems, threaten regional scientific capacity at a time when local expertise and place are most necessary. These facilities provide essential support for states, local communities and tribal nations, because they are faced with unprecedented drought, forest fires, loss of housing and other disturbances related to climate. Reliable page 2 Scientific information is essential both to our national economy and to the security of communities across the country.
Although DOGE actions are designed as efficiency measures, the potential impact of the end of these leases – transparent criteria or coordination – as well as the reduction of $ 564 million on the budget and paralyzing scientific workforce raises serious questions about the continuity of operations. If they were implemented, these changes to the USGS directly altered the federal government’s ability to assess and respond to real -time threats.
Given this uncertainty and large -scale implications of these actions, we ask for immediate clarity on the following before June 19, 2025:
1. What is the current status of all USGS leases and which installations are at risk of termination in the lease?
2. What criteria were used to select these leases for potential dismissal, and how were USGs consulted in this process?
3. What plans are in place to ensure uninterrupted mission support – in particular for key activities under water resources, natural risks and ecosystem mission areas – if these installations are closed?
4. Where will the affected employees be moved and how will the critical operations in the field and the laboratory be maintained in the interval?
5. How do USGs guarantee that existing commitments to governments of local states and states, tribal partners and other stakeholders are honored, in particular for data on water data and time-sensitive danger alerts?
6. What are the USGS personnel positions on the termination list (please include the title and the location)? When will the endings be implemented?
7. Does any of the USGS employees on the dismissal list has wages funded by reimbursable contracts with external partners? If so, how many of these employees are assigned and how much federal savings are generated by their dismissal?
8. Given the provided for the force, how will existing staff fill the gaps in order to carry out the USGS mission?
9. What programs will be eliminated by the proposed budget of $ 564 million?
Scientific integrity, public security responsibilities and the operational continuity of the USGS must not be compromised by administrative measures taken without supervision or appropriate consultation. We appreciate your attention on this question and look forward to your quick answer.
Sincerely,