Rep. Yanira Gurrola House District 16 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
The Greater Chaco Coalition is urging for comprehensive protection measures beyond the proposed 10-mile buffer around Chaco Culture National Park. This follows the Department of the Interior's initiation of a 90-day comment period on pausing new oil and gas leasing in the area.
Members of the coalition express concern that current efforts fall short, as they do not address longstanding community issues or initiate promised collaborative management processes for Greater Chaco. They highlight ongoing oil and gas approvals, including over 500 new wells, despite calls for a revised resource management plan.
Daniel Tso, Navajo Nation Council Delegate, criticized the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for not adhering to President Biden's Executive Order aimed at protecting Greater Chaco. He emphasized the need to protect Diné people from development impacts.
Corn Howland of Diné Allottees Against Oil Exploitation highlighted concerns about environmental racism and called for an inclusive withdrawal process considering local grassroots environmental justice.
Pueblo Action Alliance acknowledged progress but stressed continued accountability to rectify historical injustices in Greater Chaco. Carol Davis from Diné Citizens Against Ruining our Environment urged that indigenous public health issues be central to any withdrawal process.
Mike Eisenfeld from San Juan Citizens Alliance pointed out a lack of meaningful consultation with impacted communities by DOI. Rebecca Sobel from WildEarth Guardians criticized discrepancies between climate rhetoric and action in Greater Chaco.
Ally Beasley from Western Environmental Law Center advocated ending fracking permits and promoting just economic opportunities in Greater Chaco. Miya King-Flaherty from Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter called for prioritizing environmental justice over energy development legacies.
Terry A. Sloan commended President Biden's pause on leasing but emphasized further analysis on adverse impacts is needed. Taylor McKinnon from Center for Biological Diversity called for a complete end to federal fossil fuel extraction nationwide.
Jorge Aguilar urged permanent bans beyond a 10-mile radius due to Chaco Canyon’s cultural significance. Margaret Wadsworth stressed addressing widespread fracking impacts as part of honoring Greater Chaco.
Raena Garcia highlighted the necessity of holding administrations accountable for ending all oil and gas development around Chaco Canyon. Collin Rees insisted on moving towards permanent protections against fossil fuel developments in line with Biden's promises.
