U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement about Secretary Ryan Zinke, who will step down from the Department of the Interior at the end of the year.

“I was disappointed to learn that Secretary Zinke is stepping down. He has been a strong partner for western states and for Alaska, in particular. After years of frustration with the Department, he came in and took a very different approach – he listened to us, built a great team, and worked with us to advance our priorities. From responsible development in the 1002 Area and a life-saving road for the people of King Cove, to his efforts to secure energy dominance and eliminate the maintenance backlog at our National Parks, Secretary Zinke has accomplished a lot of good things for our country. We will miss him but wish him the best.” 

Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.