Sponsors (3)
The bill reopens lands near Chaco for development and infrastructure that can boost local economic activity and jobs, but does so at the cost of increased risks to tribal cultural sites, local health/safety, long-term tourism/conservation value, and potential legal disputes.
Local governments, land users, and energy/utilities companies near Chaco regain access to lands that had been withdrawn, allowing new permits, leases, or uses that can increase local revenue and economic activity.
Rural communities and private/federal developers can pursue infrastructure and energy projects (roads, utilities, drilling/mining) on previously restricted lands, creating construction and related local jobs.
Tribal communities and cultural-heritage stakeholders face increased risk to archaeological sites and cultural resources around Chaco due to reduced federal protection of the withdrawn lands.
Nearby rural residents may experience more industrial activity (drilling, mining, roads), increasing noise, dust, traffic, and other local health and safety hazards.
Rural and tribal communities could lose long-term conservation, recreation, and cultural-tourism opportunities tied to the Chaco area, reducing future tourism revenue and cultural visitation.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced January 22, 2025 by Eli Crane · Last progress January 22, 2025
Repeals a prior federal public land withdrawal that had reserved lands around Chaco Culture National Historical Park in San Juan County, New Mexico by declaring Public Land Order No. 7923 to have no force or effect. It also includes a short-title provision that names the Act (the short title is set but not repeated here). The measure does not authorize funding, create new programs, or impose deadlines; it simply removes the legal effect of that specific Federal Register order.