Lisa Murkowski

I think he said that 2 percent of the fires consume 85 percent of the suppression funding.

I see no reason that the Forest Service or BLM should be dealing with pandemics or other civil defense crisis as a core mission.

Today I think we have seen fire preparedness and suppression become the tail that literally wags the dog.

I have looked at the 2009 quadrennial fire review report.

The fire programs now cost the Forest Service more than 50 percent of its overall budget.

As I mentioned Alaska is on fire, we're having actually a really nice summer up North.

I'm pleased to be here today to discuss wild land fire management by Federal agencies.

Madam Chairman, if I just may add my thanks. We have a large contingent of Alaskans that have come back for this hearing.

How much does it cost to get from your village to Anchorage?

I think we all recognize that there is nothing in the Federal Government requirements when we are talking about government contracting here, that in order to get a contract here in Virginia, you have to be a Virginia-based company.

We are concerned as an IG with the unlimited sole source awards that do not provide the government the best value.

Is it reasonable to suggest that we would basically pull up the ladder at this point and either deny entry to futures or to cut off those that are relatively new entrants into the programs and exclude them from future opportunity?

Ms. Ritt, let's continue with you, if we may. Both in your oral statement and in your written testimony, you have suggested that the audit has confirmed--so this is not a suggestion.

I believe that the Indian 8(a) preferences are achieving important economic development objectives and are well worth preserving as a matter of Federal Indian policy.

The MMS does not maintain information on other Nation's take from hard rock mining operations.

Frankly, it seems to me that right now what is the most jeopardizing issue if I was in the mining industry is not knowing what's going to happen with respect to the 1872 Mining Law reform.

I think that we risk trading that reliance on foreign oil for a reliance on foreign minerals.

We always know it is about the balance.

We've got to strike the right balance between imposing a royalty and maintaining a role for mining in our economic recovery.

MMS does not collect or have access to the data necessary to determine the amount of revenue that would be generated from a royalty.

I believe hard rock mines on Federal lands should pay a royalty.

There is no question that the time has come to modernize this statute and I support the enactment of comprehensive reforms to the Mining Law.

I do believe that we will be more successful in coming up with appropriate mitigation for any projects that would be approved.

We, in the State of Alaska, are celebrating our 50th anniversary of statehood.

I think it's going to be very, very important as we move forward in this debate.