2022
06
May
More Than 80,000 Comments Submitted in Support of Chaco Protections
Taos, N.M. (May 6, 2022)—Today was the final day to comment on the Bureau of Land Management's proposed mineral withdrawal for federal lands within 10 miles of Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Read New Mexico Wild's press release on the outpouring of support here.
Preservation Archaeolog...
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2022
08
Feb
Time to Step up to Protect Chaco!
Paul F. Reed, Preservation Archaeologist
(February 8, 2022)—In November 2021, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced the withdrawal of 351,000 acres of Federal surface land from oil-gas development in a 10-mile zone around Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
As our supporters know, we ...
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2021
24
Aug
Tribal Expertise Must Inform BLM Decision-Making
Dear Friends,
It’s good to be back after our one-week break.
It’s also exciting to share a couple of media events linked to Archaeology Southwest’s long-term Preservation Archaeology projects.
Two decades and five days ago, Paul Reed was hired as our Chaco Scholar. Paul’s init...
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2021
24
Aug
NEW REPORT: Former DOI Secretary, Pueblo of Acoma’s Governor, Preservation Group Discuss Impact of Broken Federal Oil & Gas System on West’s Cultural Resources
Paper from Archaeology Southwest highlights need for overhaul
of the federal oil & gas leasing system
*** Read the paper here — listen to the press call here ***
Washington, D.C. (August 24, 2021)—Today, Archaeology Southwest released a new paper on the impact of the federal government’...
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2021
25
Mar
Archaeology Southwest Supports Leasing Reform
Taos N.M (March 25, 2021)—This afternoon, the Department of the Interior held a public forum as part of its comprehensive review of the federal oil and gas program. The forum highlighted perspectives from industry, labor and environmental justice organizations, natural resource advocates, Indige...
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2021
28
Jan
Leasing Pause Is Important First Step
Taos, N.M. (January 28, 2021)—Yesterday, President Biden signed an executive order pausing new oil and gas leasing on federal public lands and offshore water (section 208 of the order). The Department of Interior has been charged with reviewing current leasing and permitting practices.
Archaeol...
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2020
10
Nov
Archaeology Southwest Responds to Draft of FY2021 Interior Appropriations Bill
Taos, N.M. (November 10, 2020)—Today, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies released a draft of the FY2021 Interior Appropriations Bill. It does not include the current language that prohibits leasing inside the Chaco buffer zone.
On behalf of...
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2020
29
Sep
Archaeology Southwest Pilot Survey Informs on Chaco Protection Zone
Dear Friends,
This past Saturday was National Public Lands Day. I pretty seriously threw out my back on Friday, so I wasn’t up for a hike to celebrate this special day. But I did watch an amazing documentary on Patagonia’s YouTube site: “Public Trust: The Fight for America’s Public Lands....
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2020
23
Jun
Commentary: Border Wall Desecrates Sacred Places, Violates Religious Freedom
Dear Friends,
As I write, it’s hard to be upbeat here in Arizona this evening.
COVID-19 is surging, regularly breaking daily records of new cases. Earlier today, President Trump came to Yuma to celebrate the border wall, followed by an indoor rally in Phoenix.
Indigenous residents in this...
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2020
19
May
It’s Time to Make Ourselves Heard and Protect Greater Chaco—UPDATE
Paul F. Reed, Preservation Archaeologist
Go here for current information as of September 15, 2020.
(May 21, 2020)—Everyone’s efforts to get the May 28 deadline extended have paid off! We now have until September 25, 2020, to work on comments to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Bure...
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2020
31
Mar
Extend Deadline for Public Commentary on Management Plans for Greater Chaco
Dear Friends of Southwest Archaeology Today,
First, thank you for subscribing. Although Archaeology Southwest has closed its physical offices for now, our staff members are working remotely and doing their best to keep everything on schedule. We are committed to staying connected with you. We’r...
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2020
28
Jan
Continuing Coverage: Chaco Buffer Zone
Continuing Coverage: Chaco Buffer Zone
Months after the U.S. House passed a bill that would create a long-sought, 10-mile drilling ban on federal land around Chaco Culture National Historical Park, the Navajo Nation is demanding Congress cut the proposed protection zone in half. The Navajo Nation C...
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