WASHINGTON – President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate Alaska’s Joe Balash to serve as the Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. A native of North Pole, Alaska, living in Washington D.C., Balash brings more than 19 years of experience in land and natural resource management.
Mr. Balash currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Alaska’s Senator Dan Sullivan. He is the former Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, which has management responsibility for one of the largest single portfolios of land and water resources in the world, containing more than 100 million acres of uplands, 40-60 million acres of submerged lands and tidelands, and more than 500,000 barrels of oil produced daily.
“It’s been a long time since the Department had an Assistant Secretary from Alaska, and the President's nomination of Joe Balash further proves his commitment to Alaska and rural America as a whole,” said Secretary Zinke. “Joe is no stranger to the Department of the Interior having worked alongside the Department on a number of projects in Alaska. He brings an incredible combination of state and federal experience to the table, and he will be very effective in helping the Department work with Congress to do the work of the American people. I look forward to his speedy confirmation in the Senate.”
“I am deeply honored to be able to serve at the Department of the Interior,” said Joe Balash. “As a nation, we are blessed with tremendous public lands and resources that give our people unparalleled opportunities for recreation and job creation for generations to come. I look forward to working with Secretary Zinke and his incredible team to seize on those opportunities and deliver on President Trump's America First Energy Plan.”
“While I’m sad to see Joe leave the Senate, his departure is a big gain for Secretary Zinke, the Department of Interior, the United States and Alaska,” said Senator Sullivan. “His wealth of knowledge and passion for Alaska – and more broadly federal land issues – cannot be overstated. His advice and counsel on natural resource matters will be invaluable as Secretary Zinke and the Trump administration chart a new path toward American energy dominance. Alaska can and should be a critical element of this important national objective.”
“Joe Balash is an excellent choice for Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management, and I’m incredibly pleased that Secretary Zinke has chosen him for this important position,” Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski said. “From his time in the Alaska Governor’s Office and as Commissioner of Natural Resources, to his service as a Senate Chief of Staff, Joe is uniquely qualified for this role. He has significant experience on energy and resource policy, a demonstrated record of upholding Alaska’s interests as a landowner, and will make sure that America’s interests are well represented at the Interior Department.”
“The work being done by this administration in the areas of energy and public lands – including efforts to unleash our nation’s energy potential and reform years of mismanagement by our agencies – is something we value greatly as Alaskans,” said Congressman Don Young. “Critical to these efforts is the appointment of individuals and staff that understand the real-world impacts and consequences their decisions have on public lands and resources-oriented states like mine. As the Congressman for the state that was often ground zero for the countless missteps of the previous Interior Department, I commend Secretary Zinke for making Alaska a top-priority as he assembles his team. The addition of Joe Balash – someone I’ve worked with closely during his service as the Chief of Staff to Senator Dan Sullivan, a former Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and ardent supporter of responsible resource development – is an important step to begin solving the many challenges Alaskans and Americans have faced when dealing with the Department of the Interior.”
“Joe Balash’s appointment as Assistant Secretary will be good for Alaska and great for our nation. He is smart, honest, fair, and focused on solving problems and challenges in accordance with law while maximizing opportunity for Americans,” said former Alaska Governor Sean Parnell. “He knows how to work with diverse groups of people and interests to protect our nation’s interests in her public lands and environment while maximizing job creation and opportunity for all Americans. From an Alaska perspective, it is good to know that our state will have someone at Interior who understands the complexity of Alaska issues and the people affected by decision making in Washington. Joe Balash’s selection is, indeed, an extremely solid pick for the President and for the people.”
"As a lifelong Alaskan who understands the importance for the responsible management of our reaources, I can't think of anyone who would do a better job at the Department of the Interior for all Americans,” said Eddie Grasser, Vice-President, Safari Club International.
“Joe will make an excellent Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals. He brings to the office a wealth of experience and skills. First of all, he understands the importance of energy development, both on and offshore. Alaska is a great training ground for the decisions that are important to the rest of the United States in overall energy policy,” said Randall Luthi, the President of the National Ocean Industries Association. “His legislative experience will bode well for the Department with the Hill. His experience as Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources means that he understands the importance of collecting different views and assuring energy development and the protection of other natural resources. The members of NOIA look forward to working with him to expand the US energy potential off our shores.”
“We welcome the pick of Mr. Balash as the assistant secretary of Land and Minerals Management. With his background as commissioner for natural resources in Alaska, Balash brings a depth of experience to Secretary Zinke and the Department of Interior,” said Erik Milito, API group director of Upstream and Industry Operations. “He should be a tremendous asset in helping to prioritize energy development and further strengthen U.S. energy and national security. We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Interior on policies that will help keep energy affordable, create jobs, and protect our environment.”
As the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, Balash will advise and oversee the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. The Assistant Secretary heads the Department of the Interior’s management of all federal lands and waters, and their associated mineral and non-mineral resources, as well as the appropriate regulation of surface coal mining. The Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management is committed to managing, protecting, and improving lands and waters to serve the needs of the American people at all times.
Source: Department of Interior
