The USDA has extended the public comment period for its proposed reorganization plan, with the new deadline set for Sept. 30.
Originally, the comment period was slated to end on Aug. 26, according to the USDA’s Aug. 1 emailed version of the announcement. This was then changed to Aug. 31 late in August, and then again to Sept. 30 on Aug. 28.
According to the comment notice page, anyone interested in commenting on the proposed reorganization can provide feedback by emailing reorganization@usda.gov.
Proposed Reorganization
The reorganization plan, announced July 24, proposes to move over half of USDA personnel residing in the Washington, D.C., area to one of five hub locations across the country: Salt Lake City, Utah; Fort Collins, Colo.; Raleigh, N.C.; Indianapolis, Ind.; and Kansas City, Mo.
In addition to moving personnel, the plan outlines several location closures and downsizing of physical facilities, primarily in the nation’s capital.
The plan’s stated goal for these and other changes is “to achieve improved effectiveness and accountability, enhanced services, reduced bureaucracy and cost savings for the American people.”
The Senate Ag Committee held a hearing shortly after the reorganization plan was announced, with senators from both sides chiding Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden for not including Congress in the decision. In his recently-released written responses to senators’ many questions, Vaden repeatedly answered that more information will be shared following the closing of the public comment period.
