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This story was originally published b y Mountain Journal .

The U.S. Forest Service has been searching for an identity almost since the federal government began managing trees in the 19th century.

It started in 1876 inventorying public lands to prevent over-logging. Then it became the lumber provider to the nation. Now, just shy of its 150th birthday, the Forest Service faces another fundamental reorganization announced in late July by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

Or not. A week after Rollins’ announcement, the Senate Agriculture Committee ordered Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden to present a “Review of the USDA Reorganization Proposal.” Many

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