I think we recognize that this is where some of their frustration is, is where we see some of these fires that take hold, and if we had done a better job on the vegetation management, perhaps we wouldn't be in this place.

As we gather to discuss how to make our forests healthier and more resilient, you can't help but reflect on how that has always been the goal.

I think prioritizing the pre-commercial thinning is going to be an important part of fulfilling that plan.

I just want to reinforce for the record today, your commitment to monitoring the work of NOAA with regards to our fisheries surveys.

I want to thank you and the rest of the State of Hawaii for hosting our Alaska Native language speakers.

Regardless of the issues that we discuss whether it is wildland, firefighting hazardous fuels management, special use permitting and beyond, issues surrounding agency capacity are cited as barriers to success.

the fish don't really care what we're doing back here in Washington and what our timeline is

With the Durbin Feeling Native American Language Act, it would require survey of Federal programs that support Native language.

I just--I want to make sure that we are doing everything that we can, monitoring, public education, and also making sure that we have adequate resources provided for this Western Bark Beetle initiative.

Well, we'll work with you on that.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to follow up on the comments from the Senator from New Mexico and what you have mentioned, Chief, about the local knowledge that we have.

Mr. Chairman, just thank you. Good hearing.

We are also looking at the effort to foster the relationship between Native language programs and institutes of higher education.

We just passed into law, and the President signed on Monday, legislation that will allow cruise ships to bypass Canada.

We were pleased to see passage last week of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Representative Don Young (R-AK).

This removes a barrier to the restart of cruises in Alaska by temporarily waiving the requirement of the Passenger Vessel Services Act for Alaska cruises departing from Washington State to stop in Canada.

thank you for passing that very important piece of legislation. The official name of that legislation that just passed the Senate is the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act. This is a really good day for Alaska right now and for our small…

This might sound parochial, but it is not parochial.