Update on Chaco public comment period

PHOTO: Chaco Culture National Historical Park, May 28, 2019

Dear Friend,

The living and sacred landscapes in Chaco Canyon hold deep meaning to New Mexico's Pueblos, the Navajo Nation, and the Hopi Tribe. These tribes trace their history back hundreds of years to thousands of ancestral sites in the Greater Chaco landscape. I have been working for years alongside tribal leaders and a broad coalition of New Mexicans to permanently protect the lands immediately surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park from harmful oil and gas development.

I am thankful that Interior Secretary David Bernhardt told tribal leaders in New Mexico that he is going to extend the public comment period beyond the original May 28 deadline for a controversial land management plan that could open up lands near Chaco to oil and gas exploration. Given the lack of wide access to broadband internet in Indian Country and rural communities in New Mexico, many who have a real stake in these decisions are unable to participate in virtual meetings under normal circumstances. It goes almost without saying that these are not normal times.

Northwestern New Mexico is in the middle of a devastating public health crisis. San Juan and McKinley Counties are experiencing some of the deadliest outbreaks on a per capita basis of COVID-19 in the entire country, and are rightly focusing all their efforts on saving lives during this emergency.

As we move forward, I will continue to impress upon Secretary Bernhardt the importance of meaningful consultation with tribal leaders and taking the time to get this right. And I will keep doing everything in my power to elevate the voices of New Mexicans. If you are able at this time, I strongly encourage you to join me in making your voice heard on this critical issue.

>>You can find directions on how to submit public comments to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) here.

Chaco Canyon is one of the most precious landscapes on Earth. This is not a place for oil and gas development. It's long past time to listen to tribal leaders and all of the New Mexicans who are calling on us to conserve Chaco's irreplaceable resources for future generations.