UNESCO is awaiting a response from the U.S. regarding the drilling plan near Chaco
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed eliminating the 10-mile no-drilling buffer zone around the Chaco Cultural National Historical Park in New Mexico. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the buffer zone protects the surrounding area from industrial activities, including the extraction of fossil fuels and uranium.
UNESCO reported that it has received information about this initiative and is awaiting a response from the U.S. federal government regarding its potential impact on the site. A representative of the organization stated that the World Heritage Committee has consistently considered extractive activities to be incompatible with World Heritage Site status.
According to the UNESCO representative, projects outside World Heritage sites must not negatively affect their outstanding universal value—the characteristics for which the site was inscribed on the list. Such projects must undergo a proper impact assessment before decisions are made.
According to The Guardian, the plan to begin drilling in a 336,400-acre area near the Chaco garnered about 100,000 comments during a 14-day public consultation that concluded in July. The vast majority of comments were critical.
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The Chaco Cultural National Historic Park, covering 53 square miles, is located in northwestern New Mexico. The ruins of Pueblo Native American settlements have been preserved within its boundaries. The area is also known for its dark skies, ideal for stargazing.
Tribal leaders, archaeologists, and environmental organizations oppose the elimination of the buffer zone. Former Interior Secretary Deb Holland, who oversaw the zone’s creation in 2023, stated that its elimination would cause irreversible damage. Representatives of environmental organizations and the Navajo community fear air and water pollution, as well as the effects of fracking, gas flaring, and bright lighting, which could spoil the scenery and the dark sky.
The U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees the BLM, and the National Park Service did not respond to journalists’ requests for comment.
