For too long, decisions that shaped the health of our forests, the safety of our communities, and the prosperity of rural America were made in Washington by officials far removed from local realities. That distance created policy gaps and unnecessary delays in service. It also silenced too many voices in rural communities.

Since Day 1, President Donald Trump has made returning common sense to government a top priority. And at the Agriculture Department, we are again heeding his call. The announcement that the Forest Service is relocating its headquarters to Salt Lake City represents a long-overdue shift toward improving stewardship, strengthening operations, and saving taxpayer dollars.