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

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

I am really disappointed. Being here today we have had so many years of discussion...

Statement of Senator Murkowski.

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

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

The Tribal Forest Protection Act, or TFPA, is an important tool that allows Native communities to participate in the stewardship of Federal forest lands.

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.

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.

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

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

Statement of Senator Murkowski.

I am really disappointed. Being here today we have had so many years of discussion...

I want to make sure that we don't have any ambiguity.

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

The Tribal Forest Protection Act, or TFPA, is an important tool that allows Native communities to participate in the stewardship of Federal forest lands.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Correcting the geography here.

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