Protect Chaco Canyon—Oppose Drilling Near Sacred Lands
Chaco Culture National Historical Park preserves one of the most extraordinary and sacred cultural landscapes in the National Park System. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International Dark Sky Park, and one of the most sacred cultural landscapes in the country. Public Land Order 7923 — put in place to safeguard the lands surrounding Chaco Canyon from the impacts of oil and gas development — is now under threat of repeal.
This protection took decades to secure through the tireless advocacy of Tribal nations, the All Pueblo Council of Governors, elected officials, and community members. With over 90% of surrounding public lands already open to oil and gas development, rolling back Public Land Order 7923 would put roughly 4,200 archaeological and cultural sites and nearly 92,000 acres of scenic views at risk — threatening air quality, dark skies, and the health of nearby communities, while jeopardizing a park that drew nearly 38,000 visitors and $3.2 million in economic benefit to gateway communities in 2024.
Sign the petition now to urge decision-makers to keep PLO 7923 fully intact and defend Chaco Canyon for generations to come.
This protection took decades to secure through the tireless advocacy of Tribal nations, the All Pueblo Council of Governors, elected officials, and community members. With over 90% of surrounding public lands already open to oil and gas development, rolling back Public Land Order 7923 would put roughly 4,200 archaeological and cultural sites and nearly 92,000 acres of scenic views at risk — threatening air quality, dark skies, and the health of nearby communities, while jeopardizing a park that drew nearly 38,000 visitors and $3.2 million in economic benefit to gateway communities in 2024.
Sign the petition now to urge decision-makers to keep PLO 7923 fully intact and defend Chaco Canyon for generations to come.
I strongly oppose the proposed revocation of Public Land Order (PLO) 7923, which was put in place to preserve the 10-mile mineral withdrawal protecting public lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park (Chaco Canyon). This protection was the result of a decades-long effort by Tribal nations, the All Pueblo Council of Governors, elected officials, and community groups to protect this landscape of outstanding cultural, spiritual, and historical significance. Chaco Canyon is one of the most remarkable cultural landscapes in the National Park System, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and International Dark Sky Park.
Over 90% of public lands around the park are already designated for oil and gas development. Thousands of oil and gas wells, roads, pipelines, and other industrial development have already destroyed significant cultural sites. PLO 7923 was developed to minimize further development impacts to this sacred landscape.
Roughly 4,200 known archaeological, cultural, and historic sites and 91,793 acres – an area almost twice the size of Washington, D.C. — of scenic views would be at risk if the PLO is revoked. Weakening this withdrawal would further reduce air quality, visibility, and world-renowned night sky experiences — degrading the visitor experience for travelers from across the globe and the health of local communities. In 2024, 37,840 people visited the park, bringing $3.2 million to local gateway communities.
This mineral withdrawal was carefully crafted with federal agencies and Tribal nations in the area to safeguard sacred sites and landscapes while respecting Tribal sovereignty. As written, it does not prevent any existing leases from being developed and does not include any private and Tribal-owned lands.
I oppose revocation of PLO 7923 and support maintaining the protection in full to protect this sacred landscape, protect community health, and preserve the world-renowned park experience of Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
Sign PetitionSign PetitionOver 90% of public lands around the park are already designated for oil and gas development. Thousands of oil and gas wells, roads, pipelines, and other industrial development have already destroyed significant cultural sites. PLO 7923 was developed to minimize further development impacts to this sacred landscape.
Roughly 4,200 known archaeological, cultural, and historic sites and 91,793 acres – an area almost twice the size of Washington, D.C. — of scenic views would be at risk if the PLO is revoked. Weakening this withdrawal would further reduce air quality, visibility, and world-renowned night sky experiences — degrading the visitor experience for travelers from across the globe and the health of local communities. In 2024, 37,840 people visited the park, bringing $3.2 million to local gateway communities.
This mineral withdrawal was carefully crafted with federal agencies and Tribal nations in the area to safeguard sacred sites and landscapes while respecting Tribal sovereignty. As written, it does not prevent any existing leases from being developed and does not include any private and Tribal-owned lands.
I oppose revocation of PLO 7923 and support maintaining the protection in full to protect this sacred landscape, protect community health, and preserve the world-renowned park experience of Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
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