Lisa Murkowski

I wrote you earlier this spring to see if you could help us settle an issue, a land issue, in the State that would provide for a bypass route of the Sterling Highway at Cooper Landing.

I would like to finally get some resolve here.

We actually had to include language in the 2017 Omnibus that said, no, do not spend taxpayer dollars to do this.

I do not think is necessarily appropriate though is when our Federal agencies embark on what I would view as almost a private hunt.

I share your frustration. You know, there are some who says, well, the process is slowed here in the Senate.

Protecting our public lands should be an American issue and to have the right leadership in the right place, imminently qualified people.

Early warning is important.

I am going to be on you and your folks to make sure that we have a serious commitment of resources and prioritization to clean these wells up.

Unfortunately, what has happened is there has been unintended negative consequences on the Alaska Native arts economy.

I want it clear for the record we have no African elephants in Alaska.

Well, and I understand that. Also recognize that this is a bilateral commission that we have in place with Russia.

I have your commitment and that of the folks within your department to work with Alaska Natives as we implement the treaty.

I need some understanding this morning as where we stand with the co-management regime, what the timeframe is for this proposed rulemaking.

I am always looking to see where have we, as an Arctic nation, placed the priority, the funding priority, in our budgets.

Know that I certainly support you in that endeavor and happy to work with you as well.

I am a little bit confused about why there would be a specific reduction in this area where again the need is so great, so great.

The Department has supported and recommended the second step on making the James K. Polk home in Tennessee a unit of the National Park Service.

I would appreciate your focus on it because that was a traumatizing event for the people in Tennessee and North Carolina.

Respectfully, may I disagree with you about a balanced budget? This is not a balanced budget.

I greatly appreciate that you have taken the time already to come to Alaska, to spend time, to listen to Alaskans.

I strongly support such as the opening of the 1002 area in ANWR for energy development.

I think a new administration and folks that are working earnestly to address this will hopefully allow us to finally resolve the problem of fire borrowing.

PILT is absolutely essential for our rural areas to support roads, schools, and police.

I am concerned by many of the proposed reductions to the BIA, particularly the elimination of the Tribal Courts Program.

I find troubling... a 34 percent reduction to the Department's programs that issues conveyances to those who have waited so long to get title to their lands.