If a bill is not passed soon, if the Forest Service in conjunction with Sealaska does not move more vigorously, we could well see the last mill in the Tongass close within the next year or so.

I think we recognize that the system is effective also against missile threats to the east coast by actors that may be out there in the Middle East.

It is in everyone's best interest that we finally come to closure on this issue.

It was unfair to Southeast natives who lived in a region the size of the State of Indiana, to have had their lands taken away from them.

I would just suggest to you--and I have taken twice my time, I appreciate the indulgence of the chairman and the ranking member here--that we have been working aggressively on this legislation for the past year.

Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Mark Begich have re-introduced revised legislation in the 112th Congress.

I'm hopeful that with passage of this legislation the strength of the Southeastern economy can continue in an upwards trajectory.

I guess I would ask you to explain why you feel it is unjust?

We have concluded that the proposed land 'exchanges' being proposed in S. 881 have huge endangered species ramifications for the Alexander Archipelago wolf and the Queen Charlotte goshawk.

last week, I was honored to participate in a very historic trip to attend the seventh ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council in Nuuk, Greenland. I attended with Secretary of State Clinton, as well as Secretary of the Interior, Secretary…

This is bad public policy and a rotten deal for salmon fisheries.

So the glass is getting emptier.

Should we consider allowing natural gas and other alternative fuels to at least qualify?

I certainly understand the importance of Secure Rural Schools program and support it, but I'm also concerned that, with this restructuring, it's essentially going to compete against other important programs.

what this court decision means for the timber industry is really very, very troubling for us.

We felt by going with this list, this gave us the best chance to be able to reach an agreement.

Well, the one thing that would preclude them is if it's not possible to gain access to them.

I'd hate to trade our reliance on foreign oil for our reliance on foreign minerals.

Both supply and demand matter and the policies that we can consider here in this committee, I think should reflect that.

the trust for the USFS is, perhaps, in short supply with some of the colleagues--certainly some of my constituents, the general public there.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Well, I'm glad to think that you're thinking pretty holistically about how you're going to have to approach it.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to follow up with the Chairman's questions about the Secure Rural Schools program.

But, in fact, with the proposals and what has been advanced by the USFS and the others, if somebody decides to sue on this, there is nothing that provides protection from further suits.

But, unfortunately, we're seeing--many of those who have been willing to collaborate and sit around the table at the Tongass Futures Roundtable, they're peeling off of that.