Closure of the Island Park Forest Service Office

The Island Park Office of the US Forest Service will be sold in the spring of 2016. That is the proclamation from Garth Smelser, Forest Supervisor for the Caribou-Targhee National Forest at last week’s town meeting.

Mr. Smelser explained that the Island Park area is the only area under his control that maintains two office locations, Island Park and Ashton. The additional office requires two hundred thousand dollars a year in annual expenses to maintain which the USFS believes could be better utilized for other activities. Members in the audience inquired as to which office is utilized by the public more frequently. Liz Davy responded that the Island Park office is has much more public traffic.

That provoked the next question, “Why not close the Ashton Office?”  Mr. Smelser’s response left me shocked and bewildered when he reported that potential employees would rather not live in the forest. They require more “amenities”! AMAZING.

I have known many forest rangers throughout my life. A forest ranger was a plum job that provided a regular salary to one who dreamed of making their home in the forest. Current candidates for USFS jobs are willing to accept the position if they are allowed to commute to the forest. Apparently the reduction from 4G to 3G cell service is a deal breaker for recent job applicants.

Efforts are being made to convert the Forest Service Office into the caldera museum and house a small USFS office.  Hopefully out of the ashes the decision to close the Island Park location will emerge a new asset for the caldera.