Chaco Canyon, NM (KKOB) – The National Trust for Historic Preservation revealed its annual list and the Chaco cultural landscape, including Chaco Canyon, is now considered one of the country’s 11 most endangered historic places. The group cited concerns that changes to federal land policy could open the area to oil and gas development.
The Trump administration is considering revoking protections to Chaco that were finalized in 2023, known as the Public Land Order 7923. The order placed a 20-year pause on any new oil and gas leasing on federal lands within a 10-mile buffer zone surrounding Chaco Culture National Historic Park.
Existing protections currently pause new leasing within a 10-mile buffer zone around the site. Some tribal leaders support maintaining those protections, while others say development could bring economic benefits.
The designation comes with a grant to support preservation efforts.
