Overview:
Tribal leaders and advocates are calling for urgent public action to protect Chaco Canyon from renewed oil and gas development threats.
The Association on American Affairs has released this statement:
PLEASE SUBMIT COMMENTS BY APRIL 7, 2026
On March 31, 2026, the Bureau of Land Management announced that it will consider revoking a mineral withdrawal that blocks new leasing within a 10-mile buffer around the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The BLM announced a 7-day comment period, ending on April 7, 2026. This scoping period is to determine the extent of an Environmental Assessment, which will also be available for public comment once it is issued. To get more information on the scoping, see the BLM announcement at: View the Announcement.
The New Mexico Congressional delegation has issued a press release denouncing this BLM action: View the Press Release
The All Pueblo Governors Association issued a press release today as well, damning the 7-day comment period: View the Press Release
The only way to submit comments is to use the BLM online form in the BLM Announcement. We have provided a Template Comment Letter to remind DOI of the legal obligations they have to Native Nations and to protect Chaco.
1. View the Federal Register Notice, dated April 1, 2026.
2. Click on “Participate” to submit your comment on the form.
3. You can either copy and paste the text of the Template Comment Letter, or attach a copy of your letter.
Deadline to submit comments is Tuesday, April 7, 2026.