The Chaco Culture Conservancy (CCC), the official philanthropic partner of Chaco Culture National Historical Park, is encouraging public awareness and informed engagement as federal agencies review long-term protections surrounding Chaco Canyon and nearby archeological sites.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park and nearby Aztec Ruins National Monument are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their archeological and cultural significance. The land surrounding the park includes public, private, and Tribal lands.
The Bureau of Land Management recently announced that it would be formally consulting with Tribal Nations and Pueblos on proposed changes to Public Land Order 7923, which established a 10-mile oil and gas leasing buffer around the park.
The process will include environmental review, Tribal consultation, and a 14-day public comment period.
“As the nonprofit partner supporting the National Park Service at Chaco Culture and Aztec Ruins, our role is to help the public understand the profound importance of Chaco and the impacts of potential changes,” said Phoebe Redfield, executive director of the CCC. “It’s important for the public to have that clarity, especially as the issue gains national attention.”
In 2023, the Department of the Interior announced the 20-year withdrawal of new oil and gas leasing on federal lands within a 10-mile radius of the park, which was designed to provide additional review and consultation regarding potential development on public lands managed by the BLM.
The zone’s focus has been on safeguarding cultural landscapes, water resources, and dark skies. The CCC says these resources, along with thousands of ancestral sites that make up the Greater Chaco system, could face new pressures if the current 10-mile buffer were to be reduced or eliminated.
“Our cultural heritage, and our national parks, endure through the collective dedication and concern of the public,” Redfield said. “It’s the people whose voices ensure that these special places remain protected for future generations.”
Part of BLM’s review process will include a two-week comment period, during which the public can offer their input. The CCC is encouraging individuals to stay informed ahead of the comment period and to engage thoughtfully once it opens.
“We believe that informed dialogue helps strengthen preservation,” Redfield explained. “The Chaco Culture National Historical Park is among the most extraordinary cultural landscapes in the world. The public’s voices matter, and informed participation helps ensure that decisions about this landscape reflect care, understanding, and respect.”
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