Sen. Murkowski Announces Agreement on Public Lands Package

Press Release

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced a bipartisan and bicameral agreement to advance a package of lands bills focused on expanding economic opportunities in Alaska and other Western states and will be included within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The joint agreement on the package will support job creation and economic growth through a balanced approach to improving public lands management, natural resource development, and conservation, while fully protecting private property rights and recreational interests.

"I am pleased that after weeks of negotiations, we have reached a bipartisan and bicameral agreement to advance this series of public lands bills," Murkowski said. "We have worked hard to develop a balanced package that will increase resource production and provide new economic opportunities for western communities."

Murkowski highlighted several provisions in the package that will benefit Alaska.

"This package includes important provisions that will boost communities throughout our state, including the settlement and finalization of lands issues in Southeast Alaska, the conveyances of land for community development in Anchorage, and at Fort Wainwright," Murkowski said.

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All of the provisions within the package were subject to extensive consideration, debate, and refinement by the relevant committees of jurisdiction, including the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

"This is the culmination of two years of effort by members on both sides of the aisle and from both chambers," Murkowski said. "The balanced package we have developed is largely focused on unlocking the federal estate to bring economic prosperity and good-paying jobs to western states."

Murkowski is the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's lead Republican member.

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