On behalf of the Sangre de Cristo Chapter of The National Audubon Society, I urge you to maintain Public Land Order 7923 and reject the proposals to revoke the 10-mile buffer surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park or to reduce the protective buffer zone to just 5 miles.
I am submitting this comment during the second public comment period on this proposal — and our opposition has not changed. Over 100,000 people submitted comments during the April scoping period opposing this action. The public has already spoken.
The buffer around the Park contains an estimated 12,000 archaeological and cultural sites within the 5-to-10-mile zone alone, and only 15-20% of the area has been surveyed. Chaco Canyon flourished as a major cultural and ceremonial center between 850 and 1250 A.D. and remains central to the cultural identity, traditions, and ongoing practices of Indigenous peoples in the region. The Park, along with sites within the protection zone, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Greater Chaco region has already suffered significant damage to air, water, and public health from oil and gas extraction. With over 37,000 wells drilled on surrounding lands, the buffer preserves some of the last undeveloped public land in the region. The BLM itself has acknowledged the withdrawal area is not a favorable target for future development. Private, tribal, and allottee lands remain open to new leasing, and existing operations are unaffected.
The 2023 protections resulted from an extensive public process including 150 days of public comment, seven public meetings, and years of Tribal consultation — generating over 160,000 supporting comments. This 14-day comment period is an inadequate substitute that prevents meaningful participation and shuts out Tribal community members whose heritage is most at stake.
Greater Chaco deserves permanent protection. I respectfully urge you to maintain the full protection zone for this treasured American landscape.
Respectfully
Robert Guenther
Board of Directors
Sangre de Cristo Chapter of The National Audubon Society
HOW TO ACT: Go to https://eplanning.blm.gov/Project-Home/?id=D949F582-402D-F111-8341-001DD804183B
to submit a comment about the need to continue protection for the greater Chaco Canyon region.
Comment period ends July 29, 2026.