Indigenous leaders and New Mexico activists rally against proposed drilling at ancient UNESCO site

The Bureau of Land Management announced a two-week public comment period to evaluate a proposal that would allow oil and gas drilling on land encircling Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. Indigenous representatives, led by All Pueblo Council of Governors chair Joey Sanchez, argue the area contains sacred archaeological sites still used by Pueblo peoples and warn that drilling threatens their cultural identity.

State Representative Michelle Paulene Abeyta, whose district includes San Juan County, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the site's ongoing spiritual importance. Opponents criticize the short comment window and claim the federal government failed to conduct proper consultations with Pueblo nations, noting only a few governors were contacted. The BLM’s environmental assessment projects an annual economic output of roughly $7.4 million from drilling, contrasted with the existing $3 million tourism revenue cited by the Native Land Institute and the National Park Service. The New Mexico Indian Affairs Department called the comment period “too short,” and Sanchez estimates up to 100,000 public comments may be submitted, though the final tally is pending.