Correcting the geography here.

The Tribal Forest Protection Act, or TFPA, is an important tool that allows Native communities to participate in the stewardship of Federal forest lands.

I think you can hear, whether it is from Alaska and our lands up north to the lands as far south as New Mexico and Arizona, this is an issue that I think there is clearly common ground.

Our legislation is intended to put tribes in the lead by strengthening the role of Native communities in Federal land management.

I want to make sure that we don't have any ambiguity.

This is not acceptable. The forested lands owned by ANCs are in every aspect Indian forest land.

The importance of forest management for Alaska Native communities cannot be overstated.

AFN supports Senate Bill 4370 because of this growing risk of wildfires and other invasive pests in our forests.

Obviously, fire doesn't follow borders drawn on a map or any other strictures of law.

Effective forest management is essential to preserve Native forest lands for future generations.

Statement of Senator Murkowski.

just before we close, I want to acknowledge my Committee intern, Nyche Andrew. She is Inupiaq, she is Yup'ik, she is from Anchorage.

I want to make sure that we don't have any ambiguity.

I want to do a follow-up here with Mr. Crockett. I think, as I listened to our witness from the Department of Interior, I hear pretty strong support for S. 4370.

I think what Senator Lujan has said is worth noting, the economic opportunities that can be made available, the social and economic benefits if ANCSA lands are made eligible under TFPA.

Well, what I did hear you say, Mr. Crockett, is that Forest Service does support removing the bordering or adjacency requirement for the TFPA projects on Federal lands.

I believe this measure is timely, it is well warranted.

Too often these fires ignite on remote Federal lands and spread to tribal lands, endangering Native people, property, infrastructure, and cultural resources.