Regarding your article, “Tribes plead with Bureau of Land Management for protection of Chaco” (Herald, Feb. 3), the BLM was wrong to claim “at this point, we don’t have a choice,” when referring to whether the few remaining unleased sacred lands in the Chaco region can be spared from future development.
The BLM has full authority to close areas to oil and gas leasing and does so on a regular basis throughout the West to protect environmentally or culturally valuable resources on public land.
It’s irresponsible for the agency to claim otherwise.
Based on widespread community support from tribal communities to close these areas, combined with the amazing cultural resources of the Greater Chaco Landscape, it’s easy for communities to understand the importance of finally placing limits on drilling.
The BLM would be wise to exercise its authority in this respect in order to appropriately respond to the people it serves.
Mark Allison
Albuquerque
Editor’s note: Mark Allison is executive director of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
