Chaco Canyon Protection: Federal Land Withdrawn from Oil and Gas Leasing to Preserve Cultural Sites

The Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2025 is a straightforward bill designed to put a permanent pause on new oil, gas, and mineral extraction across specific federal lands surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. Essentially, Congress is using this Act to draw a clear boundary around a culturally and historically significant area, declaring it off-limits to development.

This legislation immediately withdraws federal land within the designated "Chaco Cultural Heritage Withdrawal Area" from being leased for oil, gas, geothermal energy, or minerals, and it stops new mining claims and land sales (SEC. 4). The core purpose, laid out in the findings (SEC. 2), is to protect the thousands of ancient sites—prehistoric roads, communities, and shrines—left by the Chacoan people, many of which are held sacred by modern Pueblo and Navajo Tribes. It’s also about protecting the area’s globally recognized dark skies from the light pollution associated with drilling operations.

Clearing the Books: What Happens to Existing Leases

One of the most immediate and impactful parts of this bill deals with current oil and gas leases. If a company holds a lease on this withdrawn federal land but hasn’t started drilling by the time the initial term ends, or if the lease isn’t currently producing oil or gas in "paying quantities," that lease automatically terminates (SEC. 4). The Secretary of the Interior is explicitly barred from extending these non-producing leases. For the energy industry, this means that any leases they were holding onto for future development in this specific zone are now canceled, clearing the way for permanent preservation. Conversely, if a lease is already actively producing, the bill does not seem to affect it, nor does it touch mineral rights belonging to any Indian Tribe or the Navajo Nation.

The Cultural and Community Buffer Zone

This withdrawal creates a protective buffer zone around the Chaco Canyon area, which has been under increasing pressure from the recent boom in the Mancos-Gallup Shale play (SEC. 2). For the local communities and the Tribes, this means reduced risks to their health, safety, and cultural integrity from large-scale industrial activity nearby. The bill is careful to note that while the land is withdrawn from extractive use, it doesn’t stop necessary infrastructure improvements—think roads, power lines, or utility access—if those improvements are needed to help the nearby communities (SEC. 4). This exemption ensures that the quality of life for residents isn’t negatively impacted by the preservation efforts.

The Fine Print: Where the Details Matter

While the bill is clear on its intent, there are a few areas where the Secretary of the Interior will have to make administrative calls. The definition of a “covered lease” relies on terms like whether a lease is producing in "paying quantities" or if a development plan is "officially approved" (SEC. 3). These subjective terms give the Department of the Interior discretion when deciding which existing leases must be terminated. Similarly, the exemption for “necessary improvements” (SEC. 4) could be interpreted broadly, potentially allowing some surface disturbance for things like new utility corridors, even within the protected zone. Overall, however, the legislation firmly prioritizes cultural and environmental protection over future resource extraction on these specific federal lands.