Jon Hill House District 53 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
The Greater Chaco Coalition has issued a statement in response to the Department of the Interior's virtual public forum on federal oil and gas leasing. The coalition comprises over 200 Indigenous community leaders, environmental justice advocates, and environmental groups. They represent thousands of New Mexicans and millions of Americans.
According to the coalition, more than 90% of the Greater Chaco region in northwest New Mexico has been leased for oil and gas activities. This development poses threats to the culture, communities, and climate of what they describe as a sacred landscape. The coalition highlights that unchecked oil and gas operations have led to significant public health and environmental justice issues, including poor air quality and a large methane cloud.
Since 2014, the Greater Chaco Coalition has advocated for ending new leasing in the region. They have organized numerous forums to bring attention to these issues. The coalition expressed appreciation for the Biden Administration's pause on new leases and its review of the federal oil and gas leasing program. "We thank Interior Secretary Haaland for her leadership in directing the Interior Department to adequately address environmental justice and equity issues," said a representative from the coalition.
The statement calls for comprehensive reform of the federal oil and gas leasing program. It emphasizes meaningful tribal consultation at every decision-making stage, community protections, fair distribution of resources, reparations for tribal landowners, health impact assessments, ethnographic studies, and exploration of alternative economic opportunities by relevant authorities.
