Budget shortfalls that have stalled recruiting at the Forest Service are drawing new attention from Congress.

Members of Colorado’s congressional delegation told Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack they were “deeply concerned” about the situation and warned against withdrawing money intended for maintenance of forestry – often carried out by seasonal workers – to cover the salaries of permanent employees.

These worries, expressed in a letter in Vilsack last week, as top lawmakers on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee seek more details about the agency’s recent hiring practices.

At issue is the Forest Service’s decision to end seasonal hiring for the current fiscal year and suspend temporary hiring in the face of a budget shortfall of up to $750 million.