IPANM (June 2, 2023) – The following statement has been released by Jim Winchester, Executive Director of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico regarding the Department of Interior’s decision to enforce a 10-mile buffer zone drilling moratorium around Chaco Canyon:
“The arbitrary 10-mile boundary imposed around Chaco Canyon announced today is discompassionate to generations of Navajo Allottees — many living in poverty — who will now lose out an estimated $194 million in potential royalties; is indifferent to the pleas of the Navajo Nation against a blatant government taking; is complete capitulation to pressure from outside environmental groups who simply want to outright ban all oil & gas drilling; and, is highly unethical due to Secretary Deb Haaland’s own family conflict of interest due to her daughter’s local political activism.
IPANM has long supported responsible oil & gas development around culturally sensitive sites, including support for a 5-mile buffer around Chaco Canyon which offers a natural geologic barrier of environmental protection, recognizes the culturally sacred nature of the site, and safeguards historic structures against potential physical damage.”
–Jim Winchester
Executive Director, Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico
IPANM: Arbitrary 10-Mile Chaco Buffer Arbitrary & Discompassionate
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