Missoula, MT – Missoula County officials are voicing strong concerns over the ongoing federal funding freeze and staff cuts implemented under the Trump administration, urging Montana’s congressional delegation to take immediate action to resolve the issue. The county’s commissioners argue that these cuts are having a devastating impact on local businesses, public safety, and vital conservation efforts.
In a letter sent to the state’s congressional leaders on Tuesday, the commissioners outlined the negative effects of the funding freeze, particularly its impact on forest management, wildfire resilience, and federal workforce reductions. The letter expressed alarm over the disruption of projects that are crucial to both the environment and the local economy.
“These cuts are not just abstract policy decisions—they are affecting real Montanans,” the letter states. “Small businesses, contractors, and working families are bearing the brunt of these decisions, many of whom lack the financial reserves to absorb the costs caused by the federal freeze.”
One of the most immediate consequences of the funding cuts has been the halt of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management projects. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) recently announced that it could no longer fund any ongoing projects under these agreements, effectively halting all work on critical conservation and forest health initiatives. The Blackfoot Challenge, a local conservation program, has been particularly hard-hit, with $4.5 million in frozen federal funding.
The county also cited a troubling incident where $232,000 in payments to contractors and landowners was disbursed, only to later find that federal funding cuts prevented reimbursement. For local small businesses, this has meant facing the loss of funds for completed work, jeopardizing their financial stability.
Commissioner Dave Strohmaier emphasized the precarious position of the county’s timber industry, which has already been affected by the closure of two major wood-products businesses. He warned that the federal cuts threaten to undermine forest management efforts, potentially increasing the risk of large-scale wildfires. “We were just back in Washington last week to meet with the congressional delegation to ensure they were aware of the critical need for forest management,” Strohmaier said. “The current approach seems to be scaling back on the very work we need to accelerate.”
In addition to the impacts on forest health, Missoula County expressed concerns over several projects already awarded but now caught in the funding freeze. A key example is the Highway 200 corridor project in East Missoula, which has the potential to be transformative for the community. However, without the necessary funding and signed agreements, the future of the project remains uncertain.
Commissioner Josh Slotnick described the current situation as one of profound uncertainty. “People can’t move forward, and when they can’t move forward, progress stops. This is creating a kind of limbo that is harmful to the local economy,” he said.
The county commissioners also criticized the Trump administration’s approach to these cuts, calling it “reckless” and “short-sighted.” They warned that the collateral damage from these policies would be felt by communities across the state, with Missoula County being one of the first to experience the negative consequences.
“Our communities are bearing the brunt of this detached decision-making,” the letter concludes. “We urge the congressional delegation to act swiftly to restore funding and staff positions to prevent further harm.”
As Missoula County waits for a response from its elected leaders, the commissioners remain committed to advocating for swift action to resolve the ongoing crisis and protect the local economy and environment from further damage.
