WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following comment on the resignation of Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes:

“I appreciate David’s willingness to engage on difficult issues important to Alaskans, including contentious land management policies and offshore oil and gas development. The Alaska Interagency Working Group, which he headed, was central to improving the permitting process for offshore exploration,” Murkowski said. “We did not always see eye to eye on what was best for Alaska, but David was effective and fair, and always brought honesty and integrity to what were sometimes tough discussions. I am sorry to see him leave.”

Murkowski is the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.