The U.S. Department of the Interior has launched a 14‑day public comment period on a Draft Environmental Assessment that would permit oil and gas drilling as close as ten miles to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, potentially overturning Public Land Order 7923 which barred development on roughly 336,400 acres.
The agency’s “preferred alternative” would eliminate the protective buffer entirely, while a second option would shrink it to five miles. Archaeologists estimate up to 12,000 cultural sites lie within the 5‑10‑mile zone, though only 15‑20% of the area has been surveyed. Earlier scoping attracted more than 100,000 comments opposing the move, and a Colorado College poll showed 71% of New Mexico voters reject nearby energy development. DOI limits public input to a total of 21 non‑contiguous days and will hold no public meetings, a sharp departure from the original 150‑day process that included eight hearings.
The National Parks Conservation Association and numerous tribal groups warn the proposal threatens sacred landscapes, air and water quality, and Indigenous heritage. The effort aligns with a broader administration push, under the 2025 budget reconciliation bill, to lease the majority of New Mexico’s public lands for oil and gas. Stakeholders are urged to submit comments and prepare for possible legal challenges.
