This week’s Wild Line opens with new details on the ongoing federal shutdown, including Interior’s plan to cut more than 2,000 jobs across its agencies and furloughs at the Environmental Protection Agency. We look at a busy week on Capitol Hill, where the Senate advanced a package of wilderness bills and a controversial forest management proposal, while the House pressed for restoration of Stonewall National Monument’s LGBTQ+ history. We also cover deregulatory moves inside the White House, a major land acquisition in North Carolina, leadership news from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the Supreme Court’s decision on corner-crossing. From Alaska, we report on new resolutions from the Alaska Federation of Natives and breaking developments on the Izembek road and Arctic Refuge drilling. Plus, the Outdoor Alliance takes its work to Capitol Hill.

Shutdown Fallout – Washington, DC

The shutdown continues as Interior disclosed plans to eliminate more than 2,000 jobs across the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Park Service, where over 250 employees were targeted in a now-paused reduction-in-force notice. The disclosure came in response to a court order temporarily halting further layoffs during the shutdown.

Despite the partial closure, hunting remains open at wildlife refuges managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, drawing criticism from groups like the National Wildlife Refuge Association, which cite safety concerns amid furloughs.

The Environmental Protection Agency also furloughed 4,000 employees this week, affecting the air and water offices and the Office of Land and Emergency Management.

A planned field hearing on the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) was canceled due to the shutdown. High Country News announced free digital access for furloughed workers and anyone who has lost paid news subscriptions because of budget cuts or political pressure.

Senate Advances Wilderness Bills and Forest Legislation – Capitol Hill

The Senate Committee on Agriculture approved four wilderness bills, adding 42,000 acres of new wilderness and tens of thousands of scenic and special management acres across Arkansas, Illinois, and Virginia. The bipartisan votes signal renewed support for land protection, recreation, and tourism.

Ellen Stuart-Heantjens, Executive Director of the Virginia Wilderness Committee, spoke with The Wild Line about the significance of the two Virginia bills that cleared committee.

“Aside from the ecologically rich and unique places these two bills protect, what stands out to me is their truly bipartisan origin. Both the Virginia Wilderness Additions Act and the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area Act began at the local grassroots level, with cities and counties coming together to support them. That gives me a lot of hope. It started with a love and appreciation for these special landscapes and a willingness among everyday Americans to collaborate and compromise. Our volunteers are more energized than ever, and we’re hopeful that momentum will carry through to passage in both the Senate and the House.”

Public Lands Caucus and Deregulatory Push – Washington, DC

Senators Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Tim Sheehy of Montana announced the new bipartisan Senate Stewardship Caucus, mirroring a similar effort in the House to strengthen cooperation on public lands and water issues.

At the same time, Acting Director Jeffrey Clark of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs issued a memo urging agencies to speed up deregulatory actions, waive notice and comment periods, and bypass consultation with local and Tribal governments. Analysts warn this could have broad consequences for environmental protection, public health, and economic stability.

Protecting Land and Access – North Carolina and the Appalachian Trail

The Blue Ridge Conservancy announced plans to purchase more than 70 acres on Howard Knob in Watauga County, North Carolina, the landscape that inspired the Conservancy’s founding more than 30 years ago. Once completed, the land will open to public recreation with hiking and climbing access.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy also announced new leadership: Cinda Merrill Waldbuesser will become the organization’s 11th President and CEO, succeeding Sandy Marra. Waldbuesser previously served as Deputy Regional Director for the Northeast Region of the National Park Service, overseeing 22 parks from Maine to Virginia.

Access and Advocacy – Western Lands and Alaska

The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal challenging the legality of corner-crossing, upholding a lower court ruling that affirmed hunters’ right to move diagonally across private land between adjoining public parcels. The decision preserves critical public access to checkerboarded lands across the West.

In Alaska, delegates to the Alaska Federation of Natives passed 42 resolutions under the theme Standing Strong, Standing United, addressing food insecurity, salmon protection, and opposition to changes to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. President Trump later approved $25 million in disaster aid for communities affected by Typhoon Halong.

The week ended with controversy as the White House announced plans to move forward with construction of a road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and to open 1.56 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. Tribal groups and conservationists warn that the projects threaten irreplaceable coastal ecosystems.

Congressional Review Act and the Northern Spotted Owl – Washington, DC

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana introduced a resolution under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s plan to protect the threatened northern spotted owl by managing barred owl populations. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and timber advocates oppose the move, saying it could create unintended consequences for habitat management and timber supply.

Observers note the increasing use of Congressional Review Act resolutions to target Biden-era policies that do not meet the definition of a rule, creating legal and ecological uncertainty across public lands.

Outdoor Alliance on Capitol Hill – Washington, DC

The Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of recreation and conservation groups, spent the week meeting with lawmakers to advocate for policies that sustain access, equity, and stewardship across America’s public lands. We talked to Taylor Rogers from the Outdoor Alliance, who told us more about their group and the work that members were doing this week on Capitol Hill.

“The Outdoor Alliance is a coalition of nine member organizations representing hikers, climbers, paddlers, skiers, bikers, and surfers, all focused on human-powered recreation. Over the past few months, we have been training outdoor recreation leaders from across the country to deepen their advocacy skills and bring the voices of their local communities to decision makers. This week, those leaders, together with policy experts from our member groups, held 75 meetings on Capitol Hill.

We focused on a few key priorities: keeping public lands public, protecting the Roadless Rule, supporting the agencies and staff who care for our lands, and securing funding through tools like the Legacy Restoration Fund. These policies ensure trails are maintained, forests are protected, and recreation is managed responsibly.

Even if the government were not shut down, we would be here doing this work, but the shutdown highlights why it matters. When agencies lose funding and staff, trails, parks, and access all suffer. We are here to remind lawmakers that millions of outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists are paying attention, and that our public lands belong to all Americans.”

Next Week

Join us Tuesday for a Halloween special as author Barret Baumgart joins The Wild Idea to talk about his new book Yuck, a conversation filled with strange and twisted stories from Joshua Tree and beyond.

Until then, act up, and run wild.

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