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.

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.

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

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

I believe this measure is timely, it is well warranted.

So I too want to make sure that we are not setting something up here where we have divergent views or opinions as to how this is all going to work.

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

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

I want to do a follow-up here with Mr. Crockett. I think, as I listened to our witness from the Department of Interior, I hear pretty strong support for S. 4370.

TFPA empowers tribes to harness indigenous knowledge and western science when conducting forest management projects.

I am here today to follow my colleague Senator Warren to discuss the legislation that we have been working on together, S. 1723. This is the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. As Senator Warren has just…

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.

I ask unanimous consent that privileges of the floor be granted to my second session summer interns: Maddie McGowan, Mason Oney, Zayden Schijvens, Ben Lassey, Ellen Kennedy, Grayson McGuire, Kara Johnson, Mariana Low, Dylan Thompson…

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

Too often these fires ignite on remote Federal lands and spread to tribal lands, endangering Native people, property, infrastructure, and cultural resources.

I am really disappointed. Being here today we have had so many years of discussion, I have, my staff, tribal ANC leaders across the State.

You go on to say that Forest Service only has a presence in southeast Alaska, and therefore the TFPA issues are confined to the Tongass.

Mr. Chairman, 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.

Well, what I did hear you say, Mr. Crockett, is that Forest Service does support removing the bordering or adjacency requirement for the TFPA projects on Federal lands.

I want to focus my comments this afternoon on S. 4370, this is the Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments of 2024.

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

Statement of Senator Murkowski

Okay. So this bill will fix that legal authority, is that correct?

But if in fact you have costs that could average, as I understand, around $20,000 per person plus lost wages plus travel costs if folks have to fly, then that is also a balancing factor if that individual is being treated through IHS…