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Yesterday, the House voted to protect two significant Western landmarks from drilling and mining threats. The Chaco Culture Heritage Protection Act permanently prevents new oil and gas development within a ten-mile radius of Chaco Canyon, protecting 316,000 acres and an estimated 5,000 artifacts located in the area. The bill is celebrated by tribal leaders, New Mexican legislators, and conservationists.
The Grand Canyon Centennial Act passed in the House as well, permanently withdrawing 1 million acres of land surrounding the Grand Canyon from new mining claims. The bill comes as the Trump administration considers lifting a 20-year mining moratorium early and opening the area to uranium development.
Although both bills were successful in the House, they may face greater challenges in the Senate. The Chaco Canyon legislation already has strong supporters in the Senate, but the Grand Canyon bill does not yet have a Senate champion. While there is still work to be done, passing these two pieces of legislation is an important step in protecting the Grand Canyon and Chaco Canyon for future generations.
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Chaco Canyon is a sacred place that future generations should be able to experience and learn from, but we've seen time and again how extractive industries threaten special places like Chaco. I'm incredibly blessed to work with colleagues who recognize the value of Chaco Canyon and has worked so hard to pass a bill that will protect Chaco, so that future generations of Pueblo people will have access to the place where our ancestors are buried, and New Mexicans will be able to take pride in having this pristine site in our state for years to come.”
