Archaeology Southwest Supports the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2018

We join Pueblo and other Tribal leaders in supporting bill to withdraw from future leasing and development minerals owned by the U.S. Government and located within Proposed Chaco Protection Zone

Taos, N.M. (May 22, 2018)—In response to Senator Udall and Senator Heinrich‘s introduction of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2018, Paul F. Reed, Preservation Archaeologist and Chaco Scholar, has issued the following statement on behalf of Archaeology Southwest:

“Greater Chaco is one of the most remarkable landscapes in the entire Southwest. Unfortunately, over the years, oil and gas development has steadily eroded the fragile network of ancient roads, shrines, and villages that make Greater Chaco such a one-of-a-kind place. This important bill would begin to stem the bleeding, and hopefully kick-start a broader conversation about the present and future management of Greater Chaco. In the meantime, it is essential that the administration heed the calls of Pueblo and Tribal leaders and avoid allowing further oil and gas activities in Greater Chaco.

“On behalf of Archaeology Southwest, our members, and professional archaeologists across the country, I want to thank Senators Udall and Heinrich for introducing this legislation, and for their ongoing leadership and commitment to protecting the Greater Chaco Landscape. I look forward to working with the Senators and all other stakeholders on finding additional and innovative ways to protect Greater Chaco.”

Statement by the All Pueblo Council of Governors and the Navajo Nation

Text of the Bill (opens as a PDF)

Map of proposed withdrawl area (opens as a PDF)

More about this Bill and what it would do (opens as a PDF)

About Archaeology Southwest

Archaeology Southwest is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Tucson, Arizona, that explores and protects the places of our past across the American Southwest and Mexican Northwest. For three decades, Archaeology Southwest has fostered meaningful connections to the past and respectfully safeguarded its irreplaceable resources. Learn more at archaeologysouthwest.org.