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Environment

Sierra Club

04/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/02/2026 12:11

Sierra Club Statement on Trump Administration’s Attempt to Expand Drilling at Chaco Canyon

April 2, 2026

Contact

Ian Brickey, [email protected]

ALBUQUERQUE - This week, the Trump administration advanced the process of increasing oil and gas drilling on a landscape considered sacred by Pueblos and Tribes.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration began a 7-day Public Scoping period, the next step in its proposal to open the Greater Chaco Region to oil and gas drilling. The comment period is much shorter than the standard 30- or 60-day comment periods on leasing proposals.

The administration began the process of overturning Public Land Order 7923, which protects public lands in the Greater Chaco Region from industrial development, on October 30, 2025. The order, which was finalized in 2023, protected 336,400 acres surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park from extractive development for 20 years. If the proposal is approved, new oil and gas leasing and development on federal lands will be allowed within 10 miles of the park's boundaries, including on lands directly bordering the park, threatening the irreplaceable cultural resources throughout the landscape.

In response, Diane Reese, ExCom Chair, Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club released the following statement:

"Opening up the Greater Chaco region to oil and gas drilling threatens the health and safety of nearby communities and the integrity of this sacred landscape. The people who call this place home have made their voices clear - they want this place protected, not sold out. Revoking protections for Chaco Canyon would damage relationships with Tribal Nations and sacrifice cultural and historical resources to boost corporate profits. We stand with local communities who continue to ask for permanent protections for this special place."

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.