It would be outrageous, really, if this small family-run business has to stop providing a service for local families with pets because the cost of compliance with the regulations, of dubious environmental benefit at least in this instance…

I hope that you listen, listen not only with your ears but with your heart.

I have to tell you, I am concerned about what we have seen coming out of the Circuit Court here.

I hear more complaints from the people of Alaska about the EPA than any other Agency out there.

Thank you for your letter of April 24, 2013, cosigned by Senator Ron Wyden, regarding the impact of sequestration on payments under the Secure Rural Schools Act.

We talk a lot around here about cost benefit analysis at times of declining budget. It is important.

the EPA is using what they consider to be some overly optimistic forecasts that overstate the benefits of regulation and understates their cost.

I share these concerns.

I understand that but I am also very worried that as we are dealing with these determinations now in your budget in terms of where that shortfall is, if there is a discrepancy in the numbers we need to know in a timely manner what IHS…

I think it is important to really understand in fairness how we have arrived at these analyses

You are Alaska's landlord, effectively.

Our Governor Parnell sent a letter to you on April 28 refusing to pay back the funds, citing the lack of any legal authority offered by the USFS.

the notion that the State must pay for the final lands entitled to it under the statehood act is equally wrongheaded.

I appreciate your leadership within the Department.

I hope, Madam Secretary, that you will come to Alaska soon.

Well, let me ask for clarification on that because, as we know, when Shell was moving forward as the only entity, the only producer up there, the plans were very specific as to Shell's operations.

This is something that isn't setting well with the people in the State of Alaska, and it clearly doesn't set well with me.

I think sometimes the script changes a little bit.

the outcry from tribes from folks back home on this particular issue is really loud. It's quite intense.

It just doesn't work.

I have questioned that at a time where budgets are very, very tight, we would be purchasing more land when we're not able to adequately care for, maintain, provide the resources for what it is that we have.

the trust responsibility that the Federal Government owes to our first peoples is very important to me.

I worry that we don't have our operators who are able to hold on until we can transition to that second growth.

I think that this decision by the agency represents the latest in a long line of misguided Forest Service actions that have had a crippling impact on Southeast Alaska.

I received your response on Monday the 20th.