Castleford, Idaho (KMVT-TV) Thanks to the popularity and convenience of e-mail, people are sending 30 percent less letters by "snail mail." That's causing the US Postal Service to find effective ways to cut their costs.

In 2001, the US Postal Service delivered more than 103 (b) billion pieces of first class mail. Last year, that figure dropped to 73 (b) billion pieces, a decrease of almost 30 percent. Now the Postal Service is considering whether or not to close or limit the hours of post offices in small towns like Almo and Castleford.

Linda Pickett, Retail Manager for the U.S.P.S. Salt Lake District, says, "The Postal Service is considering whether they're going to go back out and close these small communities. Their newest proposal is rather than closing these post offices, we would adjust the hours to the demonstrated need, according to the revenue being generated in the communities."

A year ago, the US Postal Service announced they would move the Twin Falls mail sorting operation to Boise. That's also because of the 30 percent drop in the amount of first class mail delivered during the last ten years. Pickett says the postal service hasn't officially decided yet how overall cutbacks will affect post offices like this one in Castleford.

Pickett says, "Even at this point, if we close these post offices, if we do move forward, they will retain their ZIP code, they will retain their community identity."

Picket says right now the postal service is in a holding pattern wondering whether they can continue to provide effective regular service in small towns like Castleford. Pickett says new information will be released in September, but she doesn't know if it will contain anything more about the proposal.

Aug. 13, 2012.