Chaco Canyon

The Department of the Interior opened a 14-day public comment period beginning on July 15, 206 on a proposal to revoke Public Land Order No. 7923, which protects approximately 336,404 acres of federal public lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park from new oil and gas leasing.

The Association on American Indian Affairs strongly opposes this proposal and calls on the Department to reject the revocation and maintain the existing protections for the Greater Chaco Landscape. The Greater Chaco Landscape is a living cultural landscape, with ecosystem relationships of profound cultural, spiritual, historical, and ancestral significance to Pueblo Nations, the Hopi Tribe, the Navajo Nation, and many other Native Nations. It is also a place of extraordinary biodiversity, clean air and water, open landscapes, and enduring connections between people and place. Protecting Native rights protects the lands, waters, cultural heritage, and shared resources that sustain us all. 

Public Land Order No. 7923 was established after years of government-to-government consultation, environmental review, and public participation. DOI should not reverse those protections through an abbreviated process that limits meaningful Native participation and public accountability. 

Take Action

The Department of the Interior needs to hear from Native Nations, citizens, organizations, preservation advocates, researchers, allies, and members of the public.

How to Submit Your Comments
Urge the Department to:
  • Reject the proposed revocations of Public Land Order No. 7923
  • Honor its trust responsibility and Native sovereignty. 
  • Conduct meaningful government-to-government consultation
  • Protect the Greater Chaco Landscape for future generations. 
  • Comments must be submitted before the close of the public comment period.

Public comment deadline: July 29, 2026

Submit your comments through the Bureau of Land Management's public comment portal.