Proposed Legislation Aims to Restrict Oil and Gas Development Near Chaco

The Navajo Nation, the All Pueblo Council of Governors, and conservation groups are supporting legislation that would make permanent a moratorium on new oil and gas development around Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The bill, which was introduced Tuesday by New Mexico’s two senators, would withdraw approximately 316,000 acres of federally owned minerals from future leasing. During a conference call to announce the legislation, Navajo President Russell Begaye said his people “believe in protecting our invaluable and irreplaceable cultural resources.”