Agencies talk oil, gas production around Chaco Canyon

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FILE – In this April 24, 2015 file photo, pumpjacks work in a field in the Permian Basin near Lovington, N.M. Environmentalists and Native American activists…

FILE – In this April 24, 2015 file photo, pumpjacks work in a field in the Permian Basin near Lovington, N.M. Environmentalists and Native American activists say the Biden administration’s review of the federal oil and gas leasing program should result in more protections for an area of northwestern New Mexico that’s considered sacred. They have cited concerns about air pollution from venting and flaring at natural gas collection and processing sites, wastewater leaks and unchecked development in southeastern New Mexico’s share of the Permian Basin. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

by: Laila Freeman

Posted: Nov 11, 2022 / 09:41 PM MST

Updated: Nov 11, 2022 / 09:58 PM MST

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The U.S. Interior Department has plans to withdraw permits for oil and gas production on federal land around Chaco Canyon. However, it may not have the impact that was expected.

A Bureau of Land Management report estimates the effect on oil and gas production would be negligible.

It said that only about 100 new oil and gas wells would be drilled in the area to begin with and that the withdrawal would cut that number in half.

Environmentalists explained the agency needs to take a broader look at the effects of development in that area on the cultural site.

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