A MORATORIUM ON OIL AND GAS DRILLING NEAR THE CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK IN NORTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO IS SCHEDULED TO BE SIGNED THIS WEEKEND. THE OFFICE OF LAND COMMISSIONER STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD SAYS THE EXECUTIVE ORDER WILL PROTECT OVER 72-THOUSAND ACRES OF STATE TRUST LAND.
OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT IN THE CHACO AREA HAS LONG BEEN OPPOSED BY NATIVE AMERICANS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND SOME STATE POLITICIANS WHO SAY DEVELOPMENT COULD DAMAGE CHACO.
THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IS SCHEDULED TO BE SIGNED THIS SATURDAY IN COUNSELOR, NEW MEXICO.
