The rate of overdose deaths attributed to opioids has increased and, in many cases, has greatly exceeded the national average.

We have some gaps. We have been talking about tribal courts and the opportunities they may present to help address some of these issues on the enforcement side.

the current competitive grant program sets Tribes up to compete with other Tribes.

When we talk about substance and substance abuse, we need to make sure that it is alcohol and substance programs.

Last year, Alaska Governor Bill Walker issued a State Disaster Declaration to address the growing opioid epidemic in Alaska.

We clearly have an opioid epidemic, Mr. Chairman. We must deal with it but I must say that we must not lose sight of the other killer we are facing in our Native communities, not only in Alaska but around the Country. That killer is…

In the State of Alaska, we joined six other States in the Country in declaring a public health crisis in response to the opioid epidemic.

Alaska may be a rural state, but we are not shielded from this epidemic. . . . Opioid abuse in Alaska is devastating our communities throughout the state and has rapidly become one of our most pressing issues.

It is important that the U.S. continue to fund this work and uphold and honor its trust obligations to Tribes.

Dear Chairwoman Murkowski and Ranking Member Udall;

We urge the subcommittee to direct the agency to simplify its CSC policy and not attempt to reduce the award of CSC funds to Tribes through an unnecessarily complex methodology.

Dear Chair Murkowski and Ranking Member Udall:

Alaska may be a rural State, but we are not shielded from this epidemic.

We urge the subcommittee to again reject IHS's efforts to repeal a key provision of the ISDEAA through the appropriations process.

We have to look at it from all directions.

We continue to urge you to increase appropriations for Section 105(l) leases.

Energy efficiency is our country's greatest energy resource--creating jobs, stimulating economic activity, enhancing energy security, lowering harmful emissions, and improving U.S. competitiveness in global markets.

On behalf of the NWIFC, we are providing testimony for the record on the natural resources management and environmental program funding requests.

We appreciate the subcommittee's similar rejection of the administration's proposed reduction of $120 million to the IHS Services budget for fiscal year 2018.

Such cuts would be devastating for many programs, including to the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (RAPCA) in Dayton, Ohio.

While great strides have been made in cleaning up the environment, air pollution remains a serious threat to public health.

We are therefore grateful for the subcommittee's rejection of the administration's proposed 18 percent cut in Facilities funding for fiscal year 2018.

This letter is written to express this agency's concern with the administration's fiscal year 2019 budget request to Congress which calls for steep cuts in funding to EPA.

We understand our Nation's challenging fiscal constraints, but cutting funding to programs that are economic drivers and job creators in local communities only exacerbates an already difficult situation.

We appreciate the opportunity to offer comments on the fiscal year 2019 Interior Appropriations bill and respectfully request: