Glenwood Herald

Forest Service looking at merging Caddo-Womble Ranger Districts January 25, 2007 - No reporter cited

GLENWOOD – The Caddo and Womble Ranger Districts of the Ouachita National Forest have formally begun the process to look at options for office consolidation and are seeking input on the proposal.  The initiative is part of an overall forest plan to reduce costs and streamline efficiency.

In 1998, the two districts began sharing employees to reduce costs.  In 2004, one district ranger assumed management of both districts.  The most noticeable change resulting from the consolidation proposal would be the physical location of facilities and employees within the 311,000+ acre district.

According to District Ranger Steve Cannell, the Forest Service currently maintains administrative offices in both Mount Ida and Glenwood, along with work centers and dwellings in both communities.  “Taking a hard look at where the land, buildings, and employees were located, it was pretty obvious that reconfiguring the overall organization could result in significant cost savings while continuing to provide a high level of service to the communities within our area,” he said. 

Included in the initial draft proposal is a recommendation to consolidate administrative operations in the Mount Ida office by 2010.  The office in Mount Ida is most centrally located within the newly combined district.  The office, workcenter and dwelling located in Glenwood would be sold once consolidation was completed.

One thing to be considered, however, is the Glenwood office was remodeled this past year and personnel were planning to move back into the building in February.

“This is just one possibility, and it clearly will not happen overnight,” said Cannell.  “It would obviously take time to implement a decision like this if it were deemed the best direction for the Forest Service, employees, and communities.  This is just the first step toward streamlining our operation and becoming more efficient.”

“Right now, I have no idea when the consolidation will take place,” he concluded.

Ultimately, the decision would be made by the Forest Service’s nationwide headquarters in Atlanta.

Other Ouachita National Forest Ranger Districts are also analyzing options that include consolidation of facilities and employees.  “Right now, we have employees that are located a significant distance from the area where they need to be working.  By centralizing personnel and facilities, we are reducing the overall time our employees have to be on the road,” said Forest Supervisor Norm Wagoner. “That’s one step in the right direction.”

According to Wagoner, input from the public is important. “We’re looking at options that we think will make things better for the public, better for employees,
and safer for everyone. It’s critical that we work together on this. One thing I can say for sure...the Ouachita National Forest will continue to be a good neighbor in all the communities that surround us.”

For more information or to submit a comment on the C a d d o - W o m b l e consolidation proposal, contact Sam Clark at the Mt. Ida office (870) 867-2101.
To submit a written comment mail to District Ranger, 1523 Highway 270 East, Mount Ida, AR 71957 by February 7, 2007.

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