Archaeology Southwest "Chaco Canyon Threats & Protections" : With, Paul Reed, & Scott Michlin

The Scott Michlin Morning Program

Thursday, May 7, 2026 - 32 minutes

Paul Reed of Archaeology Southwest discussed ongoing efforts to protect the area surrounding Chaco Canyon from oil and gas development after the federal government proposed reducing or eliminating the current 10-mile protection zone. Reed explained that more than 100,000 public comments were submitted opposing the changes, with most people urging the government to leave the protections in place. He argued that the area is culturally sacred to many Indigenous communities and that the region is not especially valuable for oil and gas extraction compared to other parts of New Mexico. The conversation also highlighted concerns that the federal review process is being rushed, with very short public comment periods compared to the years-long process used to establish the protections originally. Reed emphasized the importance of preserving the broader Chaco landscape, including its sightlines and cultural connections, while continuing to involve Native and Pueblo communities in decisions about the area’s future