New Mexico advocates, elected officials decry federal proposal to curtail Chaco Canyon protections

New Mexico is up in arms over a federal proposal to lift restrictions on oil and gas drilling near Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a site rich in ancient Puebloan ruins. The Bureau of Land Management's plan to roll back Biden-era protections has sparked fierce opposition from environmentalists and elected officials, who argue it threatens the park's ecological integrity and cultural significance. This move highlights ongoing tensions between development interests and conservation efforts, raising questions about the future of national heritage sites in the face of growing energy demands.