Lujan Initiative To Protect Chaco Canyon Approved By House

Statement

Today, U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján's effort to secure a one-year moratorium on oil and gas drilling near the Chaco Culture National Historical Park was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives -- a significant step toward final passage. Assistant Speaker Luján's amendment was adopted for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies fiscal year 2020 appropriations package. That funding package is set to be approved by the House next week.

A one-year moratorium is a critical victory for the greater Chaco region and a major step toward a permanent ban that will forever protect this extraordinary sacred land. This language holds Interior Secretary David Bernhardt accountable by codifying his agreement for a one-year withdrawal from these lands for oil and gas leasing consideration.

Assistant Speaker Luján and Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) have been steadfast advocates for safeguarding New Mexico's sacred sites. Earlier this year, Luján and Haaland introduced legislation to permanently protect the greater Chaco Canyon region from harmful oil and gas drilling.

Luján's amendment prohibits federal funding to be used for further mineral development around the Chaco Culture National Historic Park on federal lands for one year. It does not affect the mineral rights of an Indian Tribe or member of an Indian Tribe to trust land or allotment land.

"This is a critical milestone in our fight to safeguard New Mexico's sacred lands -- and major momentum for passing my legislation to permanently protect Chaco Canyon from harmful oil and gas drilling. Chaco Canyon is the ancestral homeland of thousands of New Mexicans -- rooted in a rich cultural history that makes it unique to the world. It is our responsibility to honor the legacy of the Chacoan people -- and the indigenous communities that call it home -- and protect this incredible landscape for generations to come," said Assistant Speaker Luján.

"Chaco is a beautiful piece of our planet that we as New Mexicans value, and that the rest of the world deserves to have for future generations, but it is continuously threatened by oil and gas drilling. Today's vote is a step toward permanent protections for Chaco, so future generations can enjoy this meaningful world heritage site, and the Pueblo people still have access to our ancient homelands for years to come," said Congresswoman Deb Haaland, who chaired a Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands hearing on the bill to permanently protect Chaco in early June.

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