US Forest Service Chief Outlines Plan to Streamline Agency Policy

On Wednesday, US Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said the agency is moving to simplify its policy framework, citing the need to reduce administrative complexity and speed up project delivery.

In a message to employees, Schultz said, “for too long, the Forest Service has been bogged down by excessive processes that hamper innovation. I want every employee to focus on actions that roll back this red tape.” He added that the agency aims to make projects “easier and faster to accomplish” by relying more on field-level expertise.

As part of its fiscal year priorities, the Forest Service is advancing a “Directives Modernization” strategy to streamline and simplify internal rules. The effort includes restructuring the Directives System and clarifying the roles of the Forest Service Manual and Handbooks.

Under a proposed rule expected this spring, mandatory requirements would be consolidated into the manual and reduced to the minimum necessary to ensure legal compliance, safety, and responsible use of taxpayer funds. Handbooks would shift to non-binding guidance, removing mandates and giving more discretion to employees.

The agency also plans to rescind most regional and unit-level directive supplements to create more consistent expectations nationwide. Officials aim to complete this phase by the end of the fiscal year, alongside broader updates tied to a pending agency reorganization.