Lisa Murkowski

In the most seismically active place in North America, we appreciate that.

Everyone needs to be heard, and the effort to not just go to Anchorage and Fairbanks and Washington, DC to gain these important comments from the public is appreciated.

We think that is a very important part of the prospective lease sales going forward.

I want to encourage those within BOEM to utilize the research partnerships that we have in place.

Just knowing that it is on your radar as well is very important.

We are just engaging in cyclical maintenance by gravel backfill on an annual basis.

Tourist season is coming up and Denali National Park is one of our Nation's most visited parks, and we are very proud of that.

We need to have an annual update on how many wells are fully addressed, how many remain, and the average cost per well going forward.

Just because it is challenging does not mean that we do not advance it.

We want to get this one resolved.

That is unfortunate, because we need them all.

We are very proud of that.

We are seeing an effort to eliminate funding for certain programs that we have been working to advance.

Making sure that our Native children receive a quality education must be a priority.

I am very, very pleased that you have provided that support to her.

You laid down the original concept. I know that you have been refining that as you gain input from within the agency, from Governors, from Congress, and from other stakeholders.

I take it neither Denise nor Olivia are going to make a comment?

In this committee, we define who we are as a country. We set our priorities.

It troubles me that such delays could harm our ability to safeguard natural areas threatened by development or see them auctioned off to the highest bidder or special interest.

We need to create and expand community parks, develop recreation facilities, and implement locally-supported recreation plans.

We have high expectations for the Assistant Secretary.

I am concerned by many of the proposed reductions to the BIA.

It is hard for me to accept a 38 percent reduction to the Department's program that issues conveyances to those who have already waited far too long to receive title to their lands.

I support a plan that balances greater access while maintaining protections in areas where development may not be appropriate at this time.

I appreciate your focus to it.