U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement on recent proposals issued by the Department of the Interior to address longstanding issues with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and compensatory mitigation policy.

“These proposals are another step toward establishing a regulatory environment that will allow the responsible use of our public lands and produce better outcomes for fish and wildlife,” Murkowski said. “In Alaska, we have seen firsthand how the arbitrary application of these laws can foster uncertainty and hamper economic opportunities without delivering the promised environmental benefits. I look forward to working with the Department as these reforms move forward.”

The proposed rules for the ESA are available here, and were published today in the Federal Register, opening a 60-day public comment period. Click here for more information on the Bureau of Land Management’s compensatory mitigation policy.