Biden administration’s 20-year ban on drilling – One America News Network

June 3, 2023 Roy Francis US 0

CULVER CITY, CA - APRIL 25: Oil rigs extract petroleum as the price of crude oil rises to nearly $120 per barrel, prompting oil companies to reopen numerous wells across the nation that were considered tapped out and unprofitable decades ago when oil sold for one-fifth the price or less, on April 25, 2008 in the Los Angeles area community of Culver City, California. Many of the old unprofitable wells, known as "stripper wells", are located in urban areas where home owners are often outraged by the noise, smell, and possible environmental hazards associated with living so close to renewed oil drilling. Since homeowners usually do not own the mineral rights under their land, oil firms can drill at an angle to go under homes regardless of the desires of residents. Using expensive new technology and drilling techniques, California producers have reversed a long decline of about 5 percent annually with an increased crude flow of about 2 1/2 million barrels in 2007 for the first time in years. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) — (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

OAN’s Roy Francis
8:23 AM – Saturday, June 2, 2023

The Biden administration issued a 20-year ban on oil and gas drilling on federal lands surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico and northern Arizona on Friday.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced that any new drilling on public lands within a 10-mile radius of Chaco Canyon has been banned. However, Haaland said that the new ban will not affect existing federal leases or drilling on private property.

“Today marks an important step in fulfilling President Biden’s commitments to Indian Country,” Haaland said. “By protecting Chaco Canyon, a sacred place that holds deep meaning for the indigenous peoples whose ancestors have called this place home since time immemorial.”

The 30,000-acre park is one of the country’s oldest and culturally significant ancestral sites in the country for Native American tribes.

“The exceptional landscape in the Greater Chaco region has profound cultural importance,” Bureau of Land Management Director, Tracy Stone-Manning, said. “Today’s announcement marks an important step in ensuring Indigenous voices help inform the management of our public lands.”

In January 2022, the Bureau of Land Management published a notice of the proposed ban in the Federal Register, which opened it to a 120-day public comment period. During that period, more than 110,000 comments were submitted. The Bureau also consulted with 24 tribal groups during that period.

However, the ban was not well met by all tribal groups. The Navajo Nation objected to the moratorium. In May, the Navajo argued that if the ban was to be implemented, then its members would lose a significant amount of income that came from those resources.

Today, Speaker of the 25th Navajo Nation Crystalyne Curley & I, issued a statement denouncing Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland’s decision to impose a 10-mile freeze around Chaco Culture National Historic Park. Her decision undermines our sovereignty and self-determination. pic.twitter.com/akD9wJHCN0

— Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren (@BuuVanNygren) June 2, 2023

In 2021, then-Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer sent a letter to President Joe Biden, stating that the moratorium will have a “devastating impact” on tribal members.

“The 25th Navajo Nation Council wishes to support the Navajo Nation members who hold allotted land in the area around Chaco Canyon and allow those members to maximize their economic interests,” a resolution from the Navajo Nation stated. “The Navajo Nation does not support a buffer zone around Chaco Canyon.”

There are currently about 53 allotments, belonging to the Navajo, located in the 10-mile buffer zone around Chaco Canyon. The allotments generate over $6 million per year in royalties for around 5,462 allottees according to the Navajo.

The Western Energy Alliance, a group that represents producers in the area, said that if the proposal is implemented, the Navajo Nation would lose over $190 million over the next 20 years.

The San Juan County, New Mexico, board of commissioners also sided with the Navajo and passed a resolution opposing the administration’s proposal.

Oil and gas industry leaders also opposed the ban.

The Bureau of Land Management estimated that the new protection of the land would cost the government about $4.8 million in royalties per year, as well as around 50 jobs.

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