More Than 80,000 Comments Submitted in Support of Chaco Protections

Taos, N.M. (May 6, 2022)—Today was the final day to comment on the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed mineral withdrawal for federal lands within 10 miles of Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Read New Mexico Wild’s press release on the outpouring of support here.

Preservation Archaeologist and Chaco Scholar Paul F. Reed has released the following statement:

“We are thankful the Biden administration is on its way to providing the long-term protections the Greater Chaco Landscape needs, with the Bureau of Land Management poised to finalize an oil and gas leasing withdrawal within 10 miles of Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

“We have pushed for the 10-mile cultural protection zone since 2016 and are pleased with this very important action. Protecting Chaco from more drilling honors the decades-long effort on behalf of Pueblos, Tribes, and communities to protect the ancestral culture, landscape, and history of the Pueblo people who created this amazing place. The structures, sacred places, and other cultural resources in Chaco Canyon have stood for hundreds of years, and if we do our part and act as good stewards, they can stand for hundreds more.”

Read Archaeology Southwest’s formal comments as submitted to the Bureau of Land Management – Farmington Field Office here (opens as a PDF).

Read the Society for American Archaeology’s formal comments here (PDF).

Read the New Mexico Archeological Council’s formal comments here (PDF).

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About Archaeology Southwest

Archaeology Southwest is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Tucson, Arizona, that explores and protects heritage places while honoring their diverse values. For three decades, Archaeology Southwest has worked to break down barriers to understanding, respecting, celebrating, and finding inspiration in these places. Learn more at archaeologysouthwest.org.