In a historic move, New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has extended a temporary moratorium on new oil and natural gas leasing on state land surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park. This executive order, which will remain in effect for the next 20 years, aims to protect the sacred area that holds immense cultural significance for Native Americans. The land covered by the order spans over 293 square kilometers and is part of a vast checkerboard of private, state, federal, and tribal holdings in northwestern New Mexico.

Garcia Richard initially implemented this moratorium when she took office in 2019, and now she seeks to prevent the encroachment of development on Chaco and the surrounding lands that have yet to be surveyed. The significance of the greater Chaco landscape cannot be overstated, as it holds tremendous spiritual and historical value for various Native American communities. During a virtual meeting with Native American leaders and advocates, Garcia Richard expressed her commitment to safeguarding this unique region, stating, "The greater Chaco landscape is one of the most special places in the world, and it would be foolish not to do everything in our power to protect it."

This executive order aligns with the U.S. government's own 20-year moratorium on new oil, gas, and mineral leasing around Chaco, which was implemented last year following the persistent efforts of Southwestern tribal nations and pueblos. Cordelia Hooee, the lieutenant governor of Zuni Pueblo, hailed this decision as a historic day and emphasized the need for permanent protections through congressional action. She emphasized the pivotal role that Chaco Canyon and the greater Chaco region play in the history, religion, and culture of not only the Zuni people but also other pueblo communities. Hooee emphasized the importance of preserving these shared cultural landscapes for the survival of Indigenous people.

The spiritual significance of Chaco is woven into the fabric of Native American communities, evident through songs, prayers, and oral histories. Some individuals still embark on pilgrimages to the area, which encompasses desert plains, rolling hills with pi?±on and juniper, and sandstone canyons shaped by centuries of wind and water erosion. Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a designated World Heritage site, represents the heart of an ancient Indigenous civilization. The park's boundaries feature awe-inspiring remnants of stone structures constructed by the region's early inhabitants, while traces of ancient roads and related sites are scattered throughout the surrounding landscape.

This executive order comes on the heels of a tribal summit in Washington where federal officials pledged to enhance consultation efforts and ensure that Native American leaders have a more significant role in land management decisions that impact culturally significant areas. To facilitate this goal, new guidance for federal agencies has recently been published. Although the New Mexico State Land Office is not legally obligated to hold formal consultations with tribes, agency officials have been collaborating with tribal leaders for the past five years. They now hope to establish a formal policy that future administrations can adopt. Additionally, the pueblos recently concluded an ethnographic study of the region for the U.S. Interior Department, envisioning its use in decision-making processes at the federal level.

Overall, the extension of the moratorium on new oil and natural gas leasing around Chaco Culture National Historical Park marks a significant step in preserving this culturally rich and spiritually significant landscape. It demonstrates a commitment to honor the voices and concerns of Native American communities while safeguarding an area of profound historical importance. As efforts continue to protect the greater Chaco landscape, Native American leaders and advocates hope that the executive order paves the way for lasting congressional action and ensures the perpetuity of these shared cultural landscapes.