Washington appears to dodge deep NOAA cuts
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Federal workforce cuts at NOAA and the National Weather Service are raising emergency preparedness concerns, but Washington so far doesn't appear to have seen the level of cuts in other states, a state climate official said.
Why it matters: The climate and weather agency provides essential services, including detailed forecasts for industries like shipping, ski resorts and water supply management. It also issues warnings to protect life and property during natural disasters.
Driving the news: State climatologist Guillaume Mauger told Axios this week that one probationary employee at the National Weather Service in Seattle was cut, as was an employee at the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the USDA agency responsible for measuring snowpack.
- Per the Seattle Times, NOAA lost at least three employees in Washington, including one of two people responsible for information security at the Office of Response and Restoration.
- OPB reported the cut of a NOAA natural resource specialist who had been dedicated to protecting whales.
- National Weather Service spokesperson Susan Buchanan declined to share Washington-specific job cuts with Axios.
The big picture: NOAA employs about 12,000 people, with more than 700 based in Washington, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat, said in an emailed statement.
- Last week, roughly 800 probationary employees at NOAA and its various divisions, including the National Weather Service, were laid off nationally.
- Following the announcement, some offices said they would need to cut back on services, such as public communications and daily weather balloon launches, due to staffing shortages.
Reality check: Mauger said it's too early to say whether Washington will ultimately avoid the more severe staffing reductions seen in other states, including Oregon.