Zinke abruptly postpones lease sale near New Mexicos Chaco Canyon
Source: Washington Post
By Juliet Eilperin March 2 at 4:19 PM
Chaco Canyon was the heart of a system of more than 150 great houses throughout the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico more than 800 years ago. It is now part of the Chaco Culture National Historic Park. (Philip Greenspun/AP)
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Friday abruptly postponed an oil and gas lease sale for parcels near Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a sacred tribal site in northwestern New Mexico, saying a detailed analysis of more than 5,000 cultural sites will be done before lots are designated for auction.
The proposed lease sale, which includes 25 parcels covering 4,434 acres within New Mexicos Rio Arriba, Sandoval and San Juan counties, has sparked an outcry from tribal officials and conservationists. They argue that drilling near a UNESCO World Heritage Site could damage prized cultural artifacts.
The departments plan is part of a broader push to auction off a slew of leases near protected areas in the West, with auctions scheduled this month in Montana and Utah, and it remains unclear whether those events will be postponed, as well.
After hearing from tribes, Senators Udall and Heinrich, historic preservation experts and other stakeholders, Ive decided to defer the sale that was scheduled for later this month, Zinke said, referring to the states Democratic senators, Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich. Ive always said there are places where it is appropriate to develop and where its not. This area certainly deserves more study.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2018/03/02/zinke-abruptly-postpones-lease-sale-near-new-mexicos-chaco-canyon/?utm_term=.c4be3c16785b
notdarkyet
(2,226 posts)That is unlike any other ruins in America. Not recognizing its significance is a travesty. The complex is huge and covers miles, many sites inaccessible to visitors. To develop in close proximity is a desecration and a sacrilege. There is other value in the land besides oil. How do we get rid of these people?
mainer
(12,013 posts)I was in awe when I visited it. I can't believe they even entertained selling off parcels.
Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)
diva77 This message was self-deleted by its author.
burrowowl
(17,605 posts)God damn him and the idiot that appointed him!
mountain grammy
(26,568 posts)Mr.Bill
(24,103 posts)They need more time for more bribes to come in from prospective bidders.
RandomAccess
(5,210 posts)Zinke doesn't give a damn about anything regarding Native American heritage or anything else.
Hassler
(3,321 posts)Is at the playing reasonable phase. He'll be back to selling public lands after another helicopter trip on the public dime.
klook
(12,134 posts)The remnants of structures that were built 1,300 years ago would surely crumble if this travesty were to go forward.
I doubt seriously that Zinke and the goons who want to trash the area for financial gain are giving up permanently. We'll have to renew this fight, but for now this comes as welcome news.
https://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Just drill holes right through Pueblo Bonito.
Oh, of course.. why not... It's just sand and rocks.
Why not Canyon de Chelly, Second Mesa and Mesa Verde while they're at it.
Volaris
(10,260 posts)You bet your ass that wall streets bankers would file a petition to keep it from happening...America's Economic Heritage...
Bet your ass.
House of Roberts
(5,119 posts)so be sure to watch what his left is up to.
SergeStorms
(18,880 posts)Or he's going to have the entire spirit-world of the Anasazi climbing all over his ass!
Chaco Canyon is amazing. It's a very beautiful and spiritual place.
Bayard
(21,801 posts)Chaco and Bears Ears. The disrespect and callousness just keeps rolling in. I'm afraid we won't be able to get rid of them before its all destroyed.
How much oil is around Mar a logo?