Maryland Attorney General Opposes USDA Plan to Close Beltsville Research Center

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has formally voiced his opposition to a proposed reorganization plan by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that would result in the closure of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The plan, announced by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, has raised significant concerns regarding its potential impact on over a thousand jobs in Maryland and its compliance with federal statutes that mandate Congressional approval for such closures.

The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, a sprawling 6,500-acre facility with a history spanning more than a century in Maryland, serves as a critical hub for agricultural innovation. It houses the George Washington Carver Center, which functions as the headquarters for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, and supports numerous research initiatives in conjunction with the University of Maryland. These include a prominent turfgrass research program and longstanding agricultural research fields. The center is a substantial employer, providing federal positions for over a thousand individuals and indirectly supporting hundreds of local jobs. Attorney General Brown contends that the expertise and dedication of the BARC workforce, honed over generations, are invaluable to agricultural advancements that benefit not only Maryland but the entire nation.

The USDA’s proposed reorganization, as detailed by Secretary Rollins on July 24, aims to relocate USDA employees away from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, citing high housing costs and salaries as primary motivations. However, the Secretary has acknowledged that a significant portion of the affected employees, potentially up to half, may opt to leave the agency rather than relocate. The reorganization plan has been criticized for its lack of specific details regarding the timeline for implementation and strategies to mitigate adverse effects on employees and affected communities. Furthermore, the plan was developed without consultation from Congress or local stakeholders. In response to concerns, including those raised during a U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on July 30, the USDA initiated a public comment period on August 1.

In his official comments submitted to the USDA, Attorney General Brown outlined three principal arguments against the reorganization plan. Firstly, he asserts that the agency’s justifications are based on flawed data and vague reasoning, which may be insufficient to support such a drastic measure. Secondly, the plan has failed to adequately assess the detrimental consequences for employees and the local economy that relies on the presence of BARC in Maryland. Finally, and perhaps most critically, Attorney General Brown argues that federal law unequivocally requires Congressional authorization before the USDA can relocate employees or permanently close the BARC facility, an approval that has not been obtained. The Office of the Attorney General developed its comment letter in collaboration with various state agencies and is advocating for the USDA to thoroughly review and publicly disclose all comments received in response to the reorganization proposal.

This proposed closure could have significant ramifications for Maryland residents, particularly those employed at BARC and within the surrounding community. The potential loss of over a thousand federal jobs and the ensuing economic ripple effects on Prince George’s County are primary concerns. Residents who rely on the economic activity generated by the research center may face uncertainty. The challenge to the USDA’s legal authority to close BARC without Congressional approval is a key point of contention, suggesting a potential legal battle or a requirement for federal legislative action to proceed.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

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