Don't let them take away Chaco protections

We are Greater Chaco sign by Jim Therrien Lybrook Community Ministries .jpg

The Trump administration is moving to the next step in its effort to reopen Greater Chaco to oil and gas drilling, complete with another ridiculously short comment window. That means it's time to blow out the window with comments again.

Chaco Canyon is among the world's most treasured and sacred sites, with the greatest concentration of ancient pueblos in the American Southwest and a long cultural history that continues to be celebrated by Indigenous Peoples.

The lands and communities surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park have been harmed by oil and gas drilling for years, but after decades of Tribal advocacy, the Interior Department protected more than 336,000 acres around Chaco Culture National Historical Park from new oil and gas drilling in 2023.

In March, more than 100,000 people wrote to oppose the BLM's initial proposal to remove those protections, despite having only seven days to comment.

Now, the BLM has issued a laughably inadequate Environmental Assessment for axing Greater Chaco protections. As required by law, the assessment is open to public comment, but the administration doesn't want you to know it is taking this immensely unpopular step, so it has shortened the normal 90-day comment period to 14 days.

Your voice is critical. Use this form to let BLM know that you reject any attempt to erase protections for Greater Chaco.

✅ The shortened comment period ends July 29. Please comment and add a short personal note and subject line to make your message even more impactful. Thank you!

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I am writing to strongly oppose any proposal to revoke or weaken protections for the Greater Chaco Region, in particular efforts to reduce or eliminate the 10-mile buffer established under Public Land Order 7923.
The 2023 withdrawal of more than 336,000 acres from new oil and gas leasing was a critical step to protect a landscape of immense cultural, spiritual, and historical importance to Pueblos, Tribes, and Indigenous peoples across the Southwest. The region contains thousands of documented archaeological sites with over 4,200 within the buffer alone, and remains a living cultural homeland. The Park, along with some of the sites within the 10-mile protection zone, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Greater Chaco region has already suffered from significant damage to air, water, and public health due to oil and gas extraction. About 90 percent of available federal lands in the region are already leased for oil and gas drilling, threatening this sacred landscape and the health of communities living there today. Further industrial expansion would place irreplaceable resources, community health, and future generations at risk.
Equally important is the process that led to these protections. Public Land Order 7923 followed years of Tribal consultation and extensive public engagement, including over 160,000 public comments in support. In contrast, the current 7-day comment period is inadequate and undermines meaningful public participation and Tribal consultation.
I urge you to uphold Public Land Order 7923 in full and maintain the 10-mile buffer by choosing the No Action alternative. This is essential to honoring Tribal Nations, protecting cultural heritage, and ensuring responsible stewardship of public lands.
Finally, the process for revoking the buffer is profoundly flawed. There is no summary of the comments that were made during the five-day scoping period in April. The comment deadline is overlapping with the comment period for lease sales within the Greater Chaco landscape, making it difficult for individuals, communities and organizations to meaningfully comment on both. To make matters worse, this is only a 14-day comment period, severely limiting local participation and comment. Tribes, local tribal entities and consulting organizations have not been meaningfully consulted during this process. I am calling for an extension of the comment period and a delay of this process until meaningful consultation with local entities is carried out. 
Thank you for your consideration.

I am writing to strongly oppose any proposal to revoke or weaken protections for the Greater Chaco Region, in particular efforts to reduce or eliminate the 10-mile buffer established under Public Land Order 7923. The 2023 withdrawal of more than 336,000 acres from new oil and gas leasing was a critical step to protect a landscape of immense cultural, spiritual, and historical importance to Pueblos, Tribes, and Indigenous peoples across the Southwest. The region contains thousands of documented archaeological sites with over 4,200 within the buffer alone, and remains a living cultural homeland. The Park, along with some of the sites within the 10-mile protection zone, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Greater Chaco region has already suffered from significant damage to air, water, and public health due to oil and gas extraction. About 90 percent of available federal lands in the region are already leased for oil and gas drilling, threatening this sacred landscape and the health of communities living there today. Further industrial expansion would place irreplaceable resources, community health, and future generations at risk. Equally important is the process that led to these protections. Public Land Order 7923 followed years of Tribal consultation and extensive public engagement, including over 160,000 public comments in support. In contrast, the current 7-day comment period is inadequate and undermines meaningful public participation and Tribal consultation. I urge you to uphold Public Land Order 7923 in full and maintain the 10-mile buffer by choosing the No Action alternative. This is essential to honoring Tribal Nations, protecting cultural heritage, and ensuring responsible stewardship of public lands. Finally, the process for revoking the buffer is profoundly flawed. There is no summary of the comments that were made during the five-day scoping period in April. The comment deadline is overlapping with the comment period for lease sales within the Greater Chaco landscape, making it difficult for individuals, communities and organizations to meaningfully comment on both. To make matters worse, this is only a 14-day comment period, severely limiting local participation and comment. Tribes, local tribal entities and consulting organizations have not been meaningfully consulted during this process. I am calling for an extension of the comment period and a delay of this process until meaningful consultation with local entities is carried out. Thank you for your consideration.

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Photo of community members erecting sign in Greater Chaco by Jim Therrien, Lybrook Community Ministries