Congress advances bill to protect Chaco Canyon from drilling
Chaco Culture National Historical Park at night.
K. Alden Peterson.
House committee approves permanent ban on Chaco Canyon drilling
A House committee markup today advanced legislation to protect the greater Chaco Canyon region in New Mexico from destructive oil and gas drilling. While the bill advanced on a party line vote, the effort to protect Chaco Canyon has drawn bipartisan support.
Chaco Canyon is an ancient tribal historical and archaeological site which even the pro-drilling Interior Department has given temporary reprieve on harmful extractive activity. But, in contrast to Interior’s short-term solution, the “Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act” would protect federal lands surrounding Chaco Canyon from oil and gas development permanently. It is supported by every member of the New Mexico congressional delegation, the All Pueblo Council of Governors, and the Navajo Nation.
“While there is a short term moratorium on drilling in place, there's a vital need for this proactive legislation to pass if we want to ensure future generations inherit a place that has not been permanently scarred by unchecked energy development,” said Michael Casaus, New Mexico state director of The Wilderness Society. “The interests of the Pueblos and Navajo Nation are being heard by our congressional champions and these lands could be permanently safeguarded by enacting H.R.2181.”
For more information on Chaco Canyon and other iconic American landscapes at risk from proposed drilling and mining, visit TWS’ Too Wild to Drill site.
Contact: Tony Iallonardo, 202-429-2969 or email tony_iallonardo@tws.org.
