Good morning, everyone. The committee will come to order. Okay, first Budget Hearing in the energy committee, so nice to get started. This morning we will consider the president s budget request for the u. S. For us service for fy 2021. Chief christiansen, its good to welcome you back to the committee. Thank you for being here. We say around here that the president s budget request is just that, it is a request. It does start the annual budget process. It gives us here in congress the opportunity to learn about the administrations priorities and how it would carry them out. But ultimately its up to us to determine what programs to fund and what levels. Although this years budget request is far from pur infect, i agree that the priority must be on wild land Fire Management and improving the health of our forests. Im encouraged that the administration is proposing to invest significantly in harshazardous fuel reduction and other activities. We know they pay dividends in reducing the risk of severe wildfire. Hopefully well see this important work planned and carried out without any disruptioned disruption. The fire fix will be available for the first time in fy 2020 and this budget request would make use of it for fy 2021. The 2019 fire season was relatively mild in the lower 48 with few notable exceptions. But in alaska, last summer is going to be going down in the history books. We had over 600 fires that burned over 2. 5 million acres. We had the nations costliest fire of the e syear,n lake fire. Thousands of firefighters from across alaska, 46 states, canada, and even puerto rico fought fires in alaska last summer. Hazardous fuel reduction projects and fuel breaks provided effective help with firefighters as they beat back the fires and prevented them from spreading into the communities. But it was a tough, tough summer for us. As more and more of our forests die off due to beetle infestations across alaska and elsewhere, this work becomes more urgent. We know that we need more of it. And, chief, you certainly know that fires have no boundaries there, and what we can do to Work Together is important. I do appreciate the Forest Service acknowledging its cooperative work with the state of alaska on the beetle infestation and its budget justification, but i am dismayed that this request proposes to cut the overall program, the Forest Health management and cooperative lands in other state and private forestry programs. Even with the fire fix in place, wildfire will continue to consume a large percentage of the budget, so im pleased they 2019 investigate in building capacity to more effectively use technology in wild land Fire Management. That will help ensure that were smart as we fight the fires, always keeping firefighterssafety at the forefront. Think we owe appreciation to senator gardner and senator cantwell for their work on the Wildfire Technology provisions in the dingell act which was signed just about a year ago. Another area where i think we all know we need to do more is with recreation. Recreation is the single greatest use of our National Forests, but this request does not accurately reflect that, in my view. In alaska, i routinely hear about the demand for new recreation uses and corresponding difficulties in getting permits for them. I was just in southeast this past week and, again, heard that repeated. Last year we held a hearing on recreation and heard about the need for permitting reform. Im still hopeful that we can Work Together to make some meaningful progress here in congress. Similar to recreation, i remain concerned that Agency Initiatives to create a positive workforce are not adequately articulated in this request. Time and time again ive urged Forest Service leadership to cultivate a Work Environment thats free harassment and retaliation. Im also concerned by the increasing rate of suicide among wide land firefighters. These issues are priority here in this community. I think theyre a priority of all of us. I look forward to hearing how the Forest Service intends to address them. So in wrapping up, i think i would be remiss if i didnt mention the Forest Service work on the roadless. The agency state specific rule making for the tongas has been about reasonable access for every local stakeholder in the acc. 32 island communities across alaska. Not just timber, barely timber if were being honest, but also transportation, tourism, mining and renewable energy. My thanks to you as well as secretary purdue who are all working on this rule. I know its not easy and sometimes your good work is frequently mischaracterized. I appreciate again all that youre doing with that. Let me turn to my colleagues senator manchin for his comments. Thank you, chairman murkowski. Today on the Forest Service budget request for fiscal year 2021, id also like to welcome chief christiansen to our committee and her staff for being here. And i had a nice conversation with you yesterday and i look forward to the visit you coming back to the forest and well make sure see some really special areas. Aside from being beautiful, the monongahela forest like most of West Virginias forest is truly working forest. It provides fish and game for sportsman, timber for our mills, recreational opportunities for the hikers, communities, and serves as a watershed for four states. Forest Service Lands across the country are sustainable for multiple uses including supporting local economies, providing timber and conserving special areas for future generation toens joy. Of course all of this can only be accomplished if the Forest Service has the funding that it needs. Rural communities all across the country support and demand our National Forests and we owe it to our constituents to make a good budget. I do not support the proposal to zero out funding for the land, water, and conservation fund. I appreciate the special exhibit that you included in your budget showing that in fiscal year 2019, lwcf was used to acquire 19,515 acres, specifically to enhance access for hunting, fishing, and shooting in National Forests. Just last year, the public plans package was signed into law securing permit authorization for lwcf. I followed that by pro introducing a bipartisan bill which many of my colleagues signed on to and 52 coresponsers is which would require permanent and full responding for lwcf and this remains one of my top priorities. I was also proud to join many of my colleagues on the committee to cosponsor restore our parks act. It would restore 6 billion to the parks systems to reduce the backlog. The backlog is over 5 billion. Similar in size to the National Park service. I wanted to note that the president s budgets request includes a nearly identical proposal except that it would direct 10 of the fund together Forest Service to address its forest maintenance backlog. Im glad to see that the administration is thinking about the problem, im very dis disappointed to see that at the same time the same time the budget proposes a reduction in annual maintenance funding. Thats something we cant have happen. Reductions in maintenance funding what are caused the maintenance backlog and it will just grow worse and add Adequate Funding needs to be continued to be built into the budget or well find ourselves in a no end situation. I want to compliment the chief on her ambitious goal for timber har vetting. I know they will do this in a Sustainable Way as required by our laws and im pleased that youre partnering with states to get this work done. As a former governor, i can tell you the partnerships youre forming with states make your agency stronger and able to do more than you can do by yourself. With that, i look forward to hearing about chief christiansens priorities and discussing the investments that we need to make in our National Forests and i want to thank you, madam chairman, and look forward hearing from chief christiansen. Thank, you senator mention. She, its good to have you back before the committee. We welcome your presentation here this morning if you would like to proceed and then we will have an opportunity for some questions, but thank you. Thank, you madam chairman, Ranking Member mansion and members of the committee. For inviting me back to testify on the president s 2021 budget for the Forest Service. Today, i will share details on the hard choices that were made in our budget request and focus on three key areas. Our progress to employ, tools authorities and funding to confront threats to forest and support communities. The work in front of us and the challenges that we must overcome and our steadfast efforts and progress to champion a strong workforce and healthy workplaces. We think we thank the congress for approving the 2020 budget. We are putting funds. New authorities in tools to good use, trend lines point upward as we treat more forest acres, reduce hazardous fuels and support rule economies. We are on track to meet our target and so far we are outpacing last years work to reduce hazardous fuels. Our shared stewardship approach is gaining momentum. In spirit and new agreements. We are working across boundaries to do work at the right scale, in the right places. Weve signed 12 agreements with states and one with the western governors association. 26 agreements are in progress. Weve executed 245 Good Neighbor agreements in 38 states and doubled timber volume. We aim to build on our progress in 2021. The president 7. 38 billion dollar budget emphasizes our critical work. It focuses work to reduce wild land fire risk, improve forest conditions, increase access and contribute to local economies. And it advances our shared shoot stewardship approach, but it does reflect tough choices and trade offs. In addition, we are seeking solutions and innovations to overcome obstacles that slow our work. We are nearing the completion of reforms that will ease process burdens and reduce costs. This spring, we will finish new rules that streamline decision processes, meet our environmental responsibility and get more work done. Efforts to modernize budget processes, increase efficiencies in firefighting, integrate science and improve internal systems put us in a position to better deliver our mission. We also appreciate your help in addressing challenges with the cotton would ruling. It has delayed work on the ground and unending analysis and redundant consultation. We are also seeking ways to maintain a reliable infrastructure as essential for groundwork and public access. With over 370 miles of road and 159, 000, excuse, me that is 370,000 miles of road and 159,000 miles of trails, the Forest Service manages the largest Transportation System of all the federal Land Management agencies. These roads, trails and bridges to make up the largest part of our 5. 2 billion dollar maintenance backlog. We need functioning roads and bridges to treat forests, fight fires and reduce fire risks. Rural americans need functioning roads and bridges for their daily, use for Outdoor Activities and emergency response. Lastly, our Mission Success depends on a highly skilled, motivated workforce. We will continue our work to end Sexual Harassment and retaliation. We are making progress and more resolute than ever in our commitment to provide a safe, harassment free, respectful workplace. We have taken actions. We are improving. But we must go further to permanently change our culture to one that is based on dignity, equality and respect for all. Our strong workforce is key to our aim to create a Gold Standard for Public Service and mission delivery. It ensures we make good on the investments of this congress and provide the services and sound stewardship this nation deserves. Thank you. I would be happy to answer questions. Thank, you chief. Appreciate your quick review here. We will have an opportunity to fill it in with more questions. I want to start off with a couple of alaska specific issues. You have mentioned that, and my colleague senator manchin also acknowledged, that the administration is proposing its highest National Timber target in decades here. But that goal, as you probably know, just really does not extend to us in alaska. We are at the lowest point that we have seen in our States History since we have been logging there and among, certainly among the lowest in the nation here. Only 5. 6 million board feet were sold in alaska in 2019. This would be 0. 14 of this years goal. Again, recognizing that this is coming from our nations Largest National forest so, again, i just came from southeast. I was down in ketchikan, in juneau, obviously discussion about the road but really a broader concern about whether or not were going to be able to get any reliable volume out of the tongue as given what we are seeing. What steps can you share with me is the Forest Service taking to reverse this trend on the timber in alaska . Thank, you, senator i hear you loud and clear. I do have concerns and i have dug pretty deep into the uniqueness in alaska myself and took the time to come up this summer and have a look. Which we appreciate. What i can assure you is that we do remain committed to a reliable and continuous supply of timber for southeast alaska. It is a part of the economy in the way of life. We really do get that. I am pushing our folks to really work innovatively on how we can address some multiple challenges, quite frankly in doing business, in this island communities it often has some more logistical challenges it is more expensive and we need to really be smart and coordinated. In addition, there is significant market variability. I think you know that right now the market is very soft. The 30 million board foot sale, that sale in the state of alaska is on hold right now because of market conditions. It is compounded by some retaliatory tariffs in china and you know, there is a significant amount of controversy and lawsuits in alaska and its not that we dont have those challenges other places, senator, so weve really looked hard on how we as the Forest Service, the stewards of, as you say, the Largest National forest, we can be a convening capacity to bring multiple interests together to look at the watershed recreation but and have enough available, cleared, environmentally cleared product that we can be responsive to the different market changes. As you know, we took a large landscape approach, the first, the prince of whales large landscape project, brought a lot of collaborative capacity, a lot of Common Ground by many interest were brought together and unfortunately it has been enjoined, and so that is the biggest reason why we can offer the timber we intended to do. We are looking at the situation there and we are committed to continuing to work on this to be flexible and meet the needs of alaska. Chief, i havent interrupted, ive allowed you to try to give me as fulsome a response as you can but you need to know that i view this as holy unsatisfactory. Instead of moving forward, instead of actually seeing some results translate on the ground, we are going backwards which i did not think possible and i dont believe it is because you dont support the work for the opportunity that remains in the back tongass but what is happening is exactly what those who would seek to shut tongass the down it is happening that the industry is unable to hold on. You will be visited by a group of alaskans this week who will not only share with you their concern about, again, this downward trend line that has gone so low that we could not have even imagined that it would be this bad, but theyve also been hit with a double whammy that you referenced with regards to the chinese tariffs. That came out of left field, but i think you have a situation here where through policies, through litigation, you have managed to eliminate an industry and an opportunity for people who live in the nations Largest National forest. And so, indifferent to my colleagues here and their opportunity to ask questions i will conclude my statement but know that the response that you provided, and that you are committed, committed on paper is one thing and ive got all of the materials and the statistics but its not translating on the ground. It is not translating in these communities and that is not unacceptable solution. Let me turn to senator manchin. Thank you, madam chairman, and chief christiansen, december of last year, myself and the chairman and members of this committee, many members of this committee, worked diligently to enact a twoyear extension on the secure role schools program. Many West Virginias really depend on that and sent me letters. They were excited. But even though we provided the funding, the money has not been dispersed. What should i tell them . When will they get this money and why is it taking so long to get it out the door . Senator manchin, we appreciate your leadership. It really does make a difference across the country in many of these Rural Counties with public lands. We are working top priority. It usually goes out in february. It will be out before the end of march. I can guarantee you that and i have asked my folks to step up, top priority to get it out. Whats loaded up . Is there anything, we can prevent this . Because we have a two year extension, so it does not repeat itself next year