Murkowski Thanks Assistant Secretary Balash For His Service
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today thanked Alaskan Joe Balash, who will be stepping down from his position as Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior at the end of the month.
“I greatly appreciate Joe’s hard work and dedication at the Department, where he has led the way on a number of issues that are critical to our state and nation. From standing up the leasing program for the 1002 Area to the lifting of decades-old Public Lands Orders, Joe has worked tirelessly to advance responsible resource development and improve land management. Alaska is in better place because of his leadership and we thank him for his many years of public service. I wish Joe all the best in his future endeavors and am confident that even without him, the strong partnership we have formed with the Department in this administration will continue.”
Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. Balash, who hails from North Pole, Alaska, was confirmed by the Senate with bipartisan support in December 2017.
