BLM claims most staffers will willingly relocate

In a missive to staff before the close of the year, acting Bureau of Land Management (BLM) chief William Pendley boasted about the number of staff who would be willingly going along with the agency’s controversial decision to move dozens of employees from Washington, D.C., to locations around the country. Pendley wrote that nearly two-thirds of the 153 people who had been told they would need to relocate have said they will do so. “As of today, I’m encouraged and happy to advise you that nearly two-thirds of the 153 people who received MDR [management directed reassignment] letters have indicated they will relocate with their positions,” Pendley wrote in an email to staff late Friday that was obtained by The Hill. If two-thirds of BLM staffers agreed to move that would be an impressive figure, but the email raised eyebrows among many current and former BLM employees, particularly since many staffers have privately stated they don’t intend to move. BLM employees still have roughly 80 days before they must show up for work at their new post, but an internal BLM website reviewed by The Hill showed the agency would allow some staff members to extend their time in Washington in order to allow children to finish the school year or if an employee has holiday travel or medical concerns. Much like at USDA, it’s possible staff may commit to the move on paper while continuing to look for a new job in D.C. Pendley’s email comes as lawmakers have appropriated another $5.9 million to help with the move, despite objections from Democrats...MORE