Trump Administration Considers Revoking Chaco

The Trump administration is moving towards potentially revoking a two-decade ban on oil and gas development near the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. This decision comes as the Bureau of Land Management has announced plans to initiate formal discussions with local Native American tribes, raising significant concerns among tribal leaders who previously celebrated protections put in place by the Biden administration.

The UNESCO World Heritage site, rich in the historical significance and ancestral lands of numerous tribes, has been the focus of a prolonged dispute regarding energy development. Under Biden, the Department of the Interior had implemented a ban on new oil and gas projects within a ten-mile radius of the park. However, under Trump, there’s a clear shift towards reconsidering these protective measures, raising alarms regarding the ongoing preservation of the site.

In a letter to tribal leaders, the Bureau indicated it will conduct an environmental assessment while considering options to either maintain the existing ban, fully revoke it, or establish a smaller protective buffer. This abrupt change is seen by many tribal representatives as a direct threat to their cultural heritage, with Tribe leaders emphasizing the profound cultural and spiritual connection they maintain with Chaco Canyon.

Past communications have showcased the frustration tribal leaders feel regarding potential rollbacks of protections. Many view the park as central to their identity and preservation of history, and initiatives to exploit the surrounding lands for oil and gas drilling are met with fierce resistance. The Santos Domingo Pueblo leaders have expressed that the mission is not merely about environmental concerns but about maintaining their cultural lineage and identity.

The ongoing pressure from conflicting interests within the region, particularly between the Navajo Nation and other tribes concerning economic benefits from potential drilling, continues to complicate the issue. As legal skirmishes unfold, including a lawsuit by the Navajo Nation alleging inadequate consultation during the Biden administration’s prohibition, the revival of development discussions under Trump’s administration highlights the precarious balance between economic gain and the preservation of sacred lands.