Federal staffing cuts to the Natural Resources Conservation Service could have an impact on the accuracy of data used by the Central Oregon Avalanche Center to make its forecasts of danger levels in the mountains.

Only five employees remain. The Oregon lawmakers said reversing that decision — and restoring the small agency's budget — was critical given the office maintains two vital resources.

Federal staffing cuts to the Natural Resources Conservation Service could have an impact on the accuracy of data for the Central Oregon Avalanche Center.

A bipartisan group of Oregon lawmakers urged the rehiring of federal employees that track the state's snowpack and water supply, saying they provide "critical services that benefit Oregonians ...