Federal land surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with centuries-old Puebloan structures — would be permanently withdrawn from oil and gas leasing, mining, and mineral development. Non-producing oil and gas leases in the area would automatically terminate, and the land couldn't be re-leased. The bill is a direct response to expanded drilling in the Mancos/Gallup Shale formation, which has raised concerns about impacts on archaeological sites, sacred landscapes, and the health of nearby tribal communities including the Navajo Nation, Pueblo Tribes, and Hopi Tribe. Existing tribal mineral rights and local water and road infrastructure would not be affected.
Congressional Summary
Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2025This bill creates a buffer zone around the Chaco Culture National Historic Park in New Mexico by prohibiting certain leases on federal land for the development of mineral resources or geothermal energy within the buffer zone. Nonproducing oil and gas leases in the buffer zone are terminated.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-04-10
- Date Added
- 2026-03-30