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February 28, 2017 The Honorable Lisa Murkowski Re: Support of S.J. RES. 15, disapproval of the final rule submitted by the Director of the Bureau of Land Management relating to resource management planning Dear Senator Murkowski: The Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. (RDC) is writing in support of your bill, S.J. RES. 15, disapproval of the final rule submitted by the Director of the Bureau of Land Management relating to resource management planning. RDC is an Alaskan business association comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s oil and gas, mining, forest products, tourism and fisheries industries. RDC’s membership includes Alaska Native Corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s purpose is to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources. The BLM published its Planning 2.0 Rule in the Federal Register describing the intent of the rule to “enable the BLM to more readily address landscape-scale issues . . . and to respond more effectively to environmental and social change.” RDC asserts this one-size fits all approach does not address Alaska’s unique qualities and resources. It ignores the characteristics of Alaska to be self-sufficient and to responsibly develop our natural resources for the betterment of all Alaskans and the nation as well. Additionally, the rule undermines local input, takes away the public planning process at a local level, reduces comment period timelines, gives control of planning to managers outside of Alaska and employs a method of landscape planning that far exceeds BLM’s authority. RDC applauds your efforts, and urges the Senate to repeal the Planning 2.0 Rule via Congressional Review Act. Sincerely, |
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