Dear John,
Right now, the fossil fuel industry is trying to frack and drill near the Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
Chaco Canyon preserves the cultural legacy of the Indigenous communities who call this part of New Mexico home. If Big Oil and Gas are allowed on these lands, they could damage the massive stone buildings and rock engravings that represent a form of communication and beautiful art.
The Bureau of Land Management could stop this destruction. It’s seeking public input on the fossil fuel industry’s plan. We need your help to convince the agency to protect Chaco and the communities who live nearby!
Tell the Bureau of Land Management: Stop Big Oil and Gas from harming Chaco Culture National Historical Park!
Chaco is a designated World Heritage Site. It’s the ancestral home to many Southwest Indigenous nations.
The ancient rock engravings, uncannily straight roads, and the ruins of 35 houses in the area around Chaco Canyon have been standing for more than 1,000 years. And the Pueblo and Navajo people, who have cultural affiliation with Chaco, consider these relics to have spiritual significance.
Moreover, the fracking technique used in Big Oil and Gas projects will be devasting to the health of local communities. Extracted fracking wastewater can be radioactive, and its disposal through injection wells has proven to increase earthquakes. And the people in the area already suffer from poor air quality due to nearby drilling projects.
We can’t let Big Oil destroy these valuable historic artifacts of an ancient culture just so it can increase its profits.
Take action now: Tell the BLM to protect Chaco and the communities that live nearby!
Selling off Chaco Canyon will further target Indigenous communities' resources and sacred sites, pose a safety and health threat to the people who live on the surrounding land, and alter the quality and nature of this pristine landscape forever.
We must stop the oil and gas activity around Chaco Canyon in order to protect New Mexico’s and our nation’s unique history and landscapes. It’s also imperative to maintaining the Indigenous culture memorialized on these lands.
The fossil fuel industry is hoping it can get its plan approved while the nation’s attention is on the pandemic -- and while the local communities can’t easily organize in opposition. We can’t let Big Polluters get away with it.
Tell the BLM: No oil and gas drilling near Chaco Canyon!
Standing with you,
Nicole Ghio,
Senior fossil fuels program manager,
Friends of the Earth
