Dozens To Lose Forestry Jobs After Budget Cuts

West Virginia’s Division of Forestry will lay off 37 workers because of budget issues. They’ve got a $1.7 million shortfall after lawmakers rejected legislation to fully fund the Division of Forestry, and the $1.7 million shortfall will spur layoffs of more than one-third of the agency’s workforce. The affected employees work in fire protection, logging and timber management programs. The reduction includes the elimination of 42 positions, five of which are vacant, one is a part-time employee and 36 are full-time. The layoffs will be determined by least seniority.