IPANM (Nov. 15, 2021) — In response to the Biden Administration’s announcement of a new federal drilling ban around Chaco Canyon, IPANM releases the following statement:
“Chaco Canyon is a sacred treasure. Safe and responsible oil & gas development around Chaco does not pose threat to the already protected sites of the sacred Chaco National Historic Park. Operators and mineral rights holders, including several Navajo allottees, have repeatedly made efforts to reach a reasonable, science-based understanding about how to protect these sacred sites. A ten-mile buffer is an overreach of federal authority, is arbitrary, and is not based in any science other than in political science.
Combined with federal lease bans, permit bans, and other anti-oil & gas measures from this administration, it is clear the President and Interior Secretary want nothing more than to cut off billions of dollars that fund public education, public safety and public health measures in New Mexico.”
For background, please see:
- Navajo Leaders Seek Hearing on Oil & Gas Drilling Dispute (October 5, 2021)
- IPANM Responds To Chaco Proposal (July 18, 2019)
- IPANM Formal Public Comment on Chaco Buffer Zone Proposals (July 17, 2019)
