Protect Chaco Cultural Landscape from New Drilling: Support S. 1412 / H.R. 2861

As your constituent, I urge you to work toward moving the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act (S. 1412 / H.R. 2861) through committee and toward floor votes as soon as possible. The legislation is urgently needed because the Bureau of Land Management is considering revoking or reducing the existing mineral withdrawal around Chaco Culture National Historical Park. That action could reopen surrounding federal lands to new oil and gas leasing and other mineral development. Although drilling would not occur inside the park itself, the Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape extends far beyond its boundaries and includes places of profound cultural, spiritual, archaeological, and historical importance to Pueblo, Diné, and other Indigenous communities. New drilling, roads, pipelines, and related infrastructure could permanently damage cultural sites, sacred places, wildlife habitat, water resources, air quality, and the landscape’s integrity. These impacts cannot be adequately addressed through a short administrative review or reversed once development has occurred. Permanent congressional protection is necessary because administrative protections can be changed by a future administration. I am also concerned that the BLM’s public-comment period was far too short to allow meaningful participation. Tribal governments, cultural practitioners, local communities, archaeologists, and members of the public need adequate time to review the proposal and provide informed comments. Please urge the BLM to extend the comment period to at least 90 days, conduct meaningful government-to-government consultation with affected tribes, and complete a thorough environmental and cultural-resources review before taking any action. In short, support and actively advance the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act (S. 1412 / H.R. 2861), encourage the relevant committees to hold hearings and act promptly, and work with congressional leadership to bring the bills to the floor for a vote. I also ask you to use congressional oversight and, if necessary, appropriations authority to prevent the BLM from rushing this process or proceeding without adequate public review and tribal consultation.