Interior Department expands scope of potential federal layoffs to over 1,400 job groups
The U.S. Department of the Interior has added hundreds of new job categories across multiple agencies to its list of positions eligible for layoffs, setting a new 90-day clock for possible staff cuts.
Jennifer Yachnin reports for E&E News.
In short:
- The new list covers more than 1,400 “competitive areas,” including expanded targets in the Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Office of the Secretary.
- Employees face possible reductions in force based on tenure and performance; federal rules require at least 60 days’ notice before dismissals can occur.
- The expansion follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision lifting an injunction that had blocked earlier reorganization efforts.
Key quote:
“The Bureau of Reclamation remains focused on providing essential water and hydropower to the American public across the 17 Western states.”
— Peter Soeth, Bureau of Reclamation spokesperson
Why this matters:
Layoffs at the Interior Department could significantly impact federal management of water, energy, and wildlife across much of the West. Agencies like the Bureau of Reclamation and Fish and Wildlife Service oversee reservoirs, river flows, and endangered species protection — responsibilities tied to both public safety and ecological health. Cutting staff could slow permitting, habitat restoration, and drought response at a time when climate pressures are rising. Reduced capacity may also weaken oversight of industries such as oil, gas, and mining that operate on public lands. These changes echo broader shifts in federal workforce priorities under the Trump administration, which has emphasized agency downsizing and consolidation over environmental regulation.
Learn more: Former Interior official warns of public land rollbacks and launches advocacy group
