Chaco Archives - San Juan Citizens Alliance

Jun 30 2023

Chaco Gains Reprieve from New Drilling

By Mark Pearson Coal, Durango Herald Column, Energy Transition, Oil & Gas

A cherished landscape gained a measure of new protection this month when Interior Secretary Deb Haaland signed an order creating a 10-mile buffer zone around Chaco Culture National Historical Park that precludes future oil and gas leasing. The decision culminates…

Oct 03 2022

Indigenous and conservation groups to federal court: Protect Greater Chaco region from illegal fracking

By sjca Events, Press Release

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit heard oral arguments related to the Trump administration’s illegal approval of more than 370 drilling permits in the Greater Chaco region of northwest New Mexico. Attorneys with the Biden administration defended the…

Nov 22 2021

Land near Chaco Canyon receives protections

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas

This week the Biden administration took action to safeguard lands surrounding Chaco Canyon from impacts associated with encroaching oil and gas extraction. The Department of Interior announced a two-year moratorium on new oil and gas leasing within the 10-mile zone…

Dec 23 2020

New Administration Means New Environmental Rules

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column

The changing of the guard of presidential administrations frequently brings substantial reversals of previous rules and policies. The Trump administration gained notoriety for its widespread attempts to abandon or undermine rules intended to reduce pollution or safeguard public lands. It’s…

Sep 21 2020

Last Chance: Take Action to Defend Chaco from Oil and Gas Development

By sjca Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy

Despite repeated requests to wait for in-person meetings following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office held only virtual meetings on a resource management plan to approve nearly 3,000 new oil and gas wells and…

Aug 26 2020

Take Action to Defend Chaco from Oil and Gas Development

By sjca Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy

Despite repeated requests to wait for in-person meetings following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office is holding virtual meetings on a resource management plan that would approve nearly 3,000 new oil and gas wells…

May 20 2020

Chaco Drilling Plans Advance Despite Pandemic

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Oil & Gas

While much of the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, it’s full speed ahead at the Department of Interior approving oil and gas development projects. One of the most contentious is a proposal for over 3,000 new oil and gas…

May 08 2020

Take Action to Defend Chaco – Ask BLM to Act Humanely

By sjca Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy

After almost a decade of plodding analysis, the Bureau of Land Management’s Farmington Field Office is attempting to rush through a plan to authorize thousands more oil and gas wells surging towards Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Your voice is…

Dec 12 2019

Chaco & Carlsbad BLM lease sale protest

By sjca

Communities living near oil and gas wells already suffer the effects of poor air quality due to venting and flaring of toxic are emissions, increased rates of cancer and asthma, and unsafe traveling conditions - now the Bureau of Land Management…

Oct 31 2019

House Passes Chaco Protection Bill

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

Is it everything we hope for? No, but it is undoubtedly a significant step forward. We'll continue to use all the tools we have to fight for permanent protections in the region. Check out the full press release below with…

Aug 15 2019

No Double-Density Drilling in the Greater Chaco Region

By sjca Climate Change, Oil & Gas

After almost a year fighting a proposal by Hilcorp Energy Company to double its gas wells, we are celebrating the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission's (OCC) decision restrict new development in northwest New Mexico. Along with our partners, we opposed…

Aug 01 2019

Back to court: Trump admin still fracking Greater Chaco, forcing new lawsuit

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

We've been working to protect Greater Chaco from rampant and unchecked oil and gas development for over a decade. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has long failed to conduct any sort of meaningful tribal consultations or robust environmental or cultural resource…

Jul 11 2019

Groups Challenge BLM’s Response to Chaco Court Ruling

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

Photo: Wildearth Guardians Even a court ruling doesn't seem to deter the Bureau of Land Management in Farmington. They are determined to push through industry wish lists, undermining environmental review, public input, and even the courts. We'll continue calling them…

May 30 2019

Bernhardt’s Promise to Protect Chaco

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

Photo: Rob Zeigler It's certainly promising, if not surprising, that Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is making promises to protect Greater Chaco. We're grateful to Senator Heinrich for playing a key role in orchestrating Bernhardt's visit to Chaco Cultural…

May 17 2019

In Wake of Court Ruling, Coalition Calls for Moratorium on Fracking in Greater Chaco Region

By Mike Eisenfeld Oil & Gas

Photo: Robert Zeigler Earlier this month a federal appeals court granted Greater Chaco a a long-overdue reprieve from unchecked fracking in response to a lawsuit we filed with our partners. The courts decision directly overturned a couple dozen permits, but we…

May 07 2019

Greater Chaco Region Wins Reprieve From Fracking

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

This is great news! Momentum in our decade-long effort to protect Greater Chaco from unbridled (and illegal) oil and gas development is finally resulting in real gains. Back in 2015, along with our partners, we filed a lawsuit against the…

May 01 2019

Signing NM Land Office Chaco Executive Order

Greater Chaco: Applause for New State Land Office Planning Process

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

Real progress is being made toward protecting Greater Chaco! Last month a Congressional visit welcomed lawmakers to the region to learn about the impacts of oil and gas development and the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act was re-introduced. At the…

Apr 21 2019

New Mexico moves to protect Chaco Canyon from drilling

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Oil & Gas

Anyone who has traveled the U.S. Highway 550 corridor to Albuquerque recently knows for themselves the extent of greatly expanded drilling activity. Advances in fracking technology have unlocked access to oil deposits tightly trapped in the Mancos and Gallup shale…

Apr 18 2019

Greater Chaco Coalition responds to Congressional Visit on Oil and Gas Impacts

By Mike Eisenfeld Oil & Gas

We were thrilled to welcome members of Congress to Chaco to experience the incredible landscape, learn about the history, and hear from impacted community members firsthand. We are confident they now have a deeper understanding of the issues here and…

Apr 09 2019

Groups Applaud Strengthened Bill to Protect Greater Chaco Landscape

By Mike Eisenfeld Oil & Gas

More than 92% of Greater Chaco has already been leased. Over the last several years, this leasing has moved forward despite the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) not having a plan in place to protect modern native communities, their history,…

Mar 28 2019

New Mexicans Protest New Fracking in Greater Chaco and Greater Carlsbad

By sjca Climate Change, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas

“This lease sale is just another example of the BLM putting the cart before the horse. We’ve been waiting for years for the BLM to complete its Resource Management Plans for the Greater Chaco. But the agency continues to allow…

Feb 20 2019

Stephanie Richards Garcia speaking at NM Public Lands Rally

Federal, State, Tribal Leaders and Allies Call for Protection From Fracking

By Mike Eisenfeld Climate Change, Lands Protection, Oil & Gas

It is completely indefensible to continue to lease parcels in Greater Chaco to oil and gas without having a plan in place to ensure protections for air, water, public health, and the rich history embedded in the landscape. TheBureau of…

Feb 12 2019

Take Action: Speak Out Against Lease Sale in Greater Chaco

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

It's time to speak out in defense of Greater Chaco again. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington and Rio Puerco field offices in northwestern New Mexico continue to allow oil and gas companies to frack without a plan in…

Jan 08 2019

Public Deserves Input on Double Drilling Under Methane Hot Spot, Near Chaco

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

Elections matter. That fact is being clearly made in New Mexico, where the public voted in a new administration with vastly different values when it comes to our public lands, among other things. We are thrilled that the new administration…

Dec 05 2018

Greater Chaco Advocates Rally at BLM to Protest Lease Sale

By Erika Brown Climate Change, Oil & Gas

Photo: WildEarth Guardians We've been working to protect the Greater Chaco region from rampant and largely uncontrolled drilling for over ten years. Sadly, the need for protections is only increasing. Our partners organized a rally of over 200 people to…

Aug 23 2018

Governments, Groups Demand Public Hearings on New Mexico Oil and Gas Sale Call on BLM for Greater Transparency and Accountability for Fracking Greater Chaco

By sjca Oil & Gas

Photo: Rob Zeigler Last spring, Secretary Zinke instructed the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to defer a lease sale in the Greater Chaco region due to a need for "more study." This December, they plan to auction those same parcels…

Jul 25 2018

Zinke Proposes More Fracking in Greater Chaco, Despite Need for More Analysis

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

Zinke's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a lease sale in Greater Chaco this December, despite failing to conduct tribal consultations they deemed necessary when cancelling the much smaller March 2018 lease in the region. Along with our partners,…

May 23 2018

Image of ruins at Chaco Culture National Historic Park

Udall, Heinrich introduce legislation to codify no-drilling buffer zone around Chaco

By Erika Brown Lands Protection, Oil & Gas

As most of you know, the Alliance has been working for over a decade to secure greater protections for Greater Chaco - it's water, air, cultural resources and the health and safety of native communities living there today. We have…

Apr 04 2018

Picture of sign to Counselor Chapter House

Court Finds Fracking Approvals in Greater Chaco Violate Cultural Protections

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

Over the past weekend, we had a partial win in our long fight to protect Chaco from unfettered oil and gas development. While the judge rejected our claim that the Bureau of Land Management violated the National Environmental Protection Act…

Mar 17 2018

Interior Department hears resistance to energy leases

By Mark Pearson Durango Herald Column, Oil & Gas

Five years versus five days. That succinctly describes the different weights accorded to constituents raising objections to expanded oil and gas leasing in landscapes with special circumstances. As the Trump administration attempts to accelerate energy development through its self-described energy…

Mar 02 2018

BREAKING: Zinke cancels Chaco lease sale!

By sjca Oil & Gas

Last night, we heard news we didn’t dare hope for: Secretary Zinke canceled next week’s oil and gas lease sale in Greater Chaco. This is because of you. You and thousands of others who spoke up and said drilling without a…

Jan 31 2018

oil and gas development in Greater Chaco

BLM Failed to Count 74% of Protests to Greater Chaco Oil and Gas Lease Sale

By sjca Oil & Gas

Photo: Rob Zeigler The BLM is going further and further out of its way to avoid public input, but we're not going to let them get away with it. When they released the protests for the March 2018 lease sale,…

Jan 24 2018

Chaco Public Meeting and Rally!

By Erika Brown

Give public comment for community protections 3-3:30 PM Rally outside (to make sure the public is heard): 4PM The Farmington District Resource Advisory Council (RAC) is holding a *public* meeting on January 30 from 8AM-4PM at the BLM Farmington District…

Dec 11 2017

BLM, can you hear us?

By sjca Oil & Gas

Last week, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proved their determination to elevate the interests of the oil and gas industry above those of the people they’re charged to protect – twice. But we can’t give up now. GREATER CHACO…

Mar 01 2017

Navajo President with All Pueblo Council of Govenors

Navajo Nation, Pueblo Council Join Forces to Protect Greater Chaco

By sjca Oil & Gas

PHOTO: President Russell Begaye stands with Governors from the All Pueblo Council of Governors. Photo from Navajo Nation Press Release. Last Thursday, Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez met with the All Pueblo Council of Governors. The…

Feb 10 2017

BLM is lying to us. #DontFrackChaco

By sjca Oil & Gas

This is our last chance to submit scoping comments on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) plan for oil and gas leasing in Greater Chaco. The BLM is telling us they don’t have a choice, that they have to lease: This is…

Jan 26 2017

BLM ignored us. What now? #ProtectChaco

By sjca Oil & Gas

Last Tuesday, indigenous leaders, affected residents, and State Representative Derrik Lente met with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) State Director Amy Lueders to request she cancel the January 2017 Chaco oil and gas lease sale. Over 150 people rallied…

Jan 19 2017

#DontFrackChaco Rally on 1/17!

By sjca Oil & Gas

On Tuesday, four Navajo Nation chapter presidents, impacted community members, and one NM State Representative met with State Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Amy Lueders. The group requested a cancellation of the January 2017 oil and gas lease sale…

Dec 20 2016

The Piñon Pipeline is dead! How did it happen?

By sjca Oil & Gas

Chaco just got a huge break. Friday afternoon, Saddle Butte San Juan Midstream LLC ("Saddle Butte”) withdrew their proposal for the Piñon Gathering System Project, better know as the Piñon Pipeline, in northwest New Mexico. The 150-mile pipeline would have carried 50,000 barrels per…

Dec 08 2016

We filed a protest against the leasing of 1,000 acres near Chaco

By sjca Oil & Gas

This is getting ridiculous. This week, with many partners, we submitted our protest to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office’s January 2017 oil and gas lease sale - a lease sale that shouldn’t be happening in the first place.…

Nov 09 2016

We need your voice to protect Greater Chaco.

By sjca Oil & Gas

What changed? Right now, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office (FFO) is amending its 2003 Resource Management Plan (RMP) to include new industrial fracking in Greater Chaco. The process recently reopened for official public comment until December…

Oct 27 2016

Court allows continued intensive, unstudied fracking in Greater Chaco Northwest New Mexico oil drilling will continue despite risks to communities, cultural resources and environment

By sjca Oil & Gas

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office has agreed that their 2003 Resource Management Plan (RMP) does not sufficiently plan for fracking around Chaco Canyon. Yet, while they amend their RMP to reflect this awareness, they are still approving…

Oct 27 2016

An SJCA Field Tour: Seeing Oil and Gas Up Close

By sjca Oil & Gas

It's easy to overlook what's happening in oil and gas fields. Most of us don't live at ground zero and the pollution is often invisible to the human eye. So, last weekend SJCA bussed folks from Durango, CO 45-miles south to Bloomfield, NM. We examined…

Sep 09 2016

Inspector General Finds Former BLM Director Violated Ethical Conduct, Federal Laws

By sjca Oil & Gas

This week we received evidence of a local public servant sacrificing the public interest for personal gain. Federal investigators released results of their inquiry into Steve Henke’s conduct while head of New Mexico’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field…

Jun 07 2016

BLM Postpones Sale of Oil and Gas Leases Near Chaco for the Third Time

By sjca Oil & Gas

Yesterday, Chaco got a moment to breathe. BLM's Farmington Field Office announced it would not auction parcels in Greater Chaco for fracking leases as planned in October. This is the third time the sale of these three parcels has been postponed.…

May 04 2016

Citizens Groups Challenge Fracking in Santa Fe National Forest

By sjca Oil & Gas

The Bureau of Land Management in Farmington, NM hasn't updated it's 2003 Resource Management Plan (RMP) since horizontal fracking technologies became viable in the Four Corners. Currently, they are revising the RMP to reflect these new technologies. Yet, at the…

Mar 23 2016

BLM Backpedals on Decision to Defer Leasing on Three Parcels Around Chaco Canyon

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

Apparently some decisions are more final than others. Along with our partners, we have long demanded the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) halt all fracking in the Greater Chaco region, at least until an adequate management plan is in place…

Mar 22 2016

BLM Defers Fracking Around New Mexico’s Sacred Chaco Canyon for Third Time

By sjca Oil & Gas

BLM deferred the sale of three oil and gas lease parcels near Chaco Canyon ... again. It's the third time. The deferment is a huge win, and it clearly illustrates the need for the BLM to complete its ongoing Resource Management Plan Amendment. As…

Aug 27 2015

Judge Fails to Halt Fracking in Greater Chaco

By Erika Brown Oil & Gas

The Alliance has been working to protect the Greater Chaco region from unchecked and unplanned oil and gas development for years. Our request to halt all drilling in the Greater Chaco region while our lawsuit makes its way through the courts was…

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