Lisa Murkowski

Are you planning to hold any meetings in Alaska on the impact of the rule?

I have reserved judgment on the potential Pebble Mine waiting for the project developers to present an official plan and then seek the permits for it.

We have been on the receiving end of what we believe to be a regulatory onslaught that threatens our economy.

I voice my strong disagreement with the proposed decreases to the State revolving funds.

Alaskans are looking for collaboration from the agencies that have such a significant impact on our State.

I believe the cuts to the State revolving funds will be a setback for the economy as well as the environment.

Just a question, one question on the King Cove road issue, when you issued your release in December, you stated that the Department's commitment to assist in identifying and evaluating options would improve access to affordable…

Adding insult to injury, the fact that it was delivered the day before Christmas Eve... it ruined the holidays for... the people of King Cove.

I have described this as a potential showstopper for new development in Alaska.

I want to express my disappointment frankly.

We request that you support such efforts to authorize and then appropriate the funds for IHS advance appropriations.

Legislation to authorize IHS advance appropriations has been introduced--H.R. 3229 by Representative Young and S. 1570 by Senators Murkowski and Begich.

I will not stand by and watch as more Alaskan lives are put at risk, put at risk, potentially, to die. I will not let this issue die.

We are not done with this issue.

I will not get over this issue. I am also unwilling to allow your Department to do nothing to help the Alaskans that it has promised to assist.

I cannot convey in words adequate to describe the frustration, the anger, the sadness with which I received that decision.

Secretary Jewell, just a question, one question on the King Cove road issue, when you issued your release in December, you stated that the Department's commitment to assist in identifying and evaluating options would improve access to…

I will do everything, everything in my power for as long as I am here, to enable the people of King Cove to receive proper emergency access that the rest of us take for granted.

The notion from your Department that you must protect Alaska from Alaska natives, our first people, is insulting.

What I know is not complete, is that these regulations have not been released, so as Shell is trying to determine how they do proceed, they need some certainty.

I think it is something that the administration is going to have to look at in terms of its commitment to working with those who have leases in the Arctic.

Senator Murkowski was able to add additional $50 million for maintenance of the national parks, and we appreciate those efforts.

I refer to the Department of the Interior and the Secretary's role as being effectively one as landlords.

Just for planning purposes, knowing what the rules of the road are is critically important.

This has been almost a lifetime of struggling to get this short connector road.