Residents and leaders of the Alaska Native village of King Cove met with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar this morning to discuss a road they say will ensure their health and safety.

The village wants to build a road to a nearby airport. But U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the project will harm the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.

Salazar, who is stepping down sometime next month, has the authority to approve the road. Residents urged him to do so, citing at least 11 fatalities in which people died while awaiting medical attention.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski and (R-Alaska) and Sen. Mark Begich (Alaska) will be holding a press conference with King Cove residents at 2pm today to discuss the issue. Murkowski is the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which holds a confirmation hearing on Salazar's potential replacement, Sally Jewell, on March 7.

Begich is a new member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Get the Story:
Murkowski meets with Interior nominee after threatening to slow process over road construction (AP 2/28)

Committee Notice:
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: To consider the nomination of Sally Jewell to be the Secretary of the Interior (March 7, 2013)

Related Stories:
Senate committee to hold hearing on Interior Secretary pick (2/26)
Sen. Murkowski threatens to block pick for Interior Secretary (2/25)
Native Sun News: Obama taps Sally Jewell for Interior position (2/14)
Editorial: Let Alaska Native village have road through refuge (2/11)
Editorial: Road through wildlife refuge benefits Native village (2/6)
Alaska Native village won't get road through wildlife refuge (2/5)