(August 19, 2015)—Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge James Browning rejected an effort by environmental groups to stop oil and gas development in northwestern New Mexico. This ruling was a disappointment, because a break in the action would have allowed the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to complete work on their Resource Management Plan amendment, potentially bringing additional cultural and environmental protections into place prior to drilling. Nevertheless, many informed people felt the lawsuit had little chance of succeeding, given the oil-gas juggernaut that prevails in most cases.
Archaeology Southwest and its partners continue our efforts to work out a solution to this problem—one that protects the health and safety of the Navajo communities at ground zero and enhances our understanding of the Greater Chaco Landscape and its long-term preservation, while engaging all stakeholders in the necessary dialogue to resolve these issues.
Science journalist Michael Balter just published an article, “Big Archaeology fights Big Oil to preserve ancient landscape,” in the latest issue of Science (August 20, 2015) featuring our work and discussing the issues involved. Science has graciously allowed us to link to that article, which you can read in full here.
3 thoughts on “August 2015 Update on Preserving the Greater Chaco Landscape”
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This is completely appalling. Is there some way that outsiders can get involved somehow, and speak up in protest against it? The chance of ever winning a fight against big oil money is very slim, if it exists at all, but we can’t just stand by and assume they can do whatever they want.
Pat,
I would encourage you to contact the Farmington BLM and
speak your mind.
Farmington District Office
District Manager: Victoria Barr
6251 College Blvd. Suite A
Farmington, NM 87402
Also, if you’re a New Mexico resident, contact Senators Udall and Heinrich, as well as Congressman Ben Ray Lujan.
We appreciate your support!
Paul,
Am sorry I missed your presentation at Crow Canyon in Cortez. I have read through some of the stuff on the leasing activity around Chaco and wholly support your efforts to get BLM to listen to archeologists and us informed volunteers who support them.
Personally, I would shout at BLM and say: “Big Oil is already way too close!!! Don’t you believe what is happening in Oklahoma? Do we wait until Big Oil’s earthquakes start felling the walls of Chaco?!?. It will be way too late by then!!
– Dale