U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Emblem NWRS logo USFWS banner

National Wildlife Refuge System


Pacific Region Refuge Workforce Planning: Fiscal Years 2005 - 2009

 

The Pacific Region has developed a plan to reduce field staffing for its National Wildlife Refuges by 49.5 positions, approximately 20 percent of its workforce, over a five-year period, ending in fiscal year 2009. The personnel reductions are, in part, the result of nationwide budget shortfalls in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The National Wildlife Refuge System is the only network of federal lands dedicated specifically to wildlife conservation. The Pacific Region National Wildlife Refuge System covers 64 refuges in four states and the remote Pacific Islands, encompassing more than 3.5 million acres of public land and waters.

Since fiscal year 2005, the Pacific Regional Refuge System budget has remained relatively static, but personnel costs have increased annually. Operational costs, such as fuel, equipment and other expenses have also increased. To offset these costs since fiscal year 2005, the Region has already left 32 positions vacant and will leave an additional 17.5 positions vacant through Fiscal year 2009, for a total of 49.5 positions.

The losses will occur in each of the four states in the Pacific Region. Refuge staffing in Idaho will have been reduced by 29% from fiscal years 2005 to 2009; Washington by 28%; Oregon 18%; and Hawaii and the other Pacific Islands by 8%. These staff reductions will result in scaling back, and in some cases eliminating, biological monitoring projects, invasive species control programs, habitat restoration projects, interpretive activities, environmental education programs, and facility maintenance to a level that staff can handle effectively.  Efforts to develop and foster partnerships, as well as coordination and cooperative activities with other agencies, entities, etc., will also be reduced.