I thought that we were going to be a little more competitive, perhaps, in the Community Wildfire Defense Program Grant.

It was around a lot earlier than that, but I think that was when we started really mapping it.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I have long said that I do not believe that we have to choose between a healthy forest and a healthy economy.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. Appreciate the opportunity to be back at work here on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies;

Alaska is willing and able to increase our Nation's and our allies energy security.

I had mentioned in my last question there, Chief, the Southeast Alaska Sustainable Strategy, $25 million spent so far and, it is always described as quote, 'An initial investment'.

I am very interested in seeing what is possible. And if we can move the dial a little bit on this issue, I am in for it 100 percent.

So do you think then that we need to address this language that limits it to these Federal lands that are either bordering or adjacent to, because it is not just Alaska, it would be throughout the Lower 48, where you have got some…

Okay. So maybe you can work with us on some of this TA that we are looking for?

We can't be in a situation where we have got an impasse like this; would you agree?

I want to discuss the issue of opportunity between the Forest Service and many of our tribes, specific to tribal co-management.

It has been observed on roughly 193,500 acres statewide, more than 98 percent of those acres mapped in 2021.

I have expressed some concern, again, about the pace of processing the individual permits.

I think it has to be done at whatever expense necessary.

You know that is not right. They know that is not right.

This obviously represents the exact wrong direction for Alaska, certainly the wrong direction for a country.

I have had subsequent conversations and I will share with you, they are somewhat confused. They don't know who to believe anymore.