Oct. 28, 2005
 
WV Division of Forestry Reorganized to Save Money
 
By William Paine
Bluefield News Network Writer
 
Charleston, WV (BNN) -- As part of the ‘Responsible Government’ initiative, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin announced a reorganization plan for the state’s Division of Forestry to make the agency more efficient and cost effective.
 
The new plan will combine districts into larger regions with the idea of eliminating excess vehicles and equipment usage. The D.O.F. will close 25 field offices, leaving fifteen offices open statewide. In the future, D.O.F employees will depend heavily on cell phones and portable computers, using their vehicles as portable offices.
 
Forestry employees will now split their shifts in two working four 10 hour days a week One shift will work from Monday till Thursday and the next will work from Tuesday to Friday. Before this, all personnel worked for five eight-hour days. Officials estimate that this new working schedule will allow the D.O.F. to park about 80 vehicles one extra day per week, saving on fuel and vehicle maintenance costs. What’s more, the number of full time employees will be reduced by eliminating eight currently vacant positions.
 
All told, officials reckon that the changes will save the Division of Forestry about $300,000 annually.