Correcting the geography here.

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.

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

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

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.

So I too want to make sure that we are not setting something up here where we have divergent views...

Statement of Senator Murkowski.

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

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

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

But in the 20 years since TFPA was first enacted, wildfires are burning faster, hotter, and longer.

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.

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

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

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

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.

I want to focus my comments this afternoon on S. 4370, this is the Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments of 2024.