Trump administration plans to eliminate drilling buffer around New Mexico heritage site

The administration is scrapping a drilling-free zone around Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a UN world heritage site, to expand oil and gas extraction in the region.

First covered Aug 20, 2026 · 7:00 AM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

Trump administration plans to eliminate drilling buffer around New Mexico heritage site — Image via theguardian.com

Coverage

37d Guardian Environment Trump plan to allow drilling near US world heritage site sparks alarm — Administration’s plan to scrap drilling-free buffer zone around New Mexico site prompts scrutiny from Unesco The Trump administration’s push to expand oil and…

Primary sources

eplanning.blm.gov BLM National NEPA Register

nps.gov Chaco Night Sky Program - Chaco Culture National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

More coverage from around the web

npca.org Why Chaco Culture’s Buffer Matters · National Parks Conservation Association

npca.org Trump Administration Moves Closer to Revoking Chaco Canyon Protections · National Parks Conservation Association

kjzz.org In search of oil and gas, Trump could axe Biden-era buffer around Chaco Canyon

sierraclub.org Stop Trump from Desecrating the Greater Chaco Landscape | Sierra Club

outsideonline.com Trump Admin Fast-Tracks Rolling Back Protections for Sacred Chaco Canyon

Appeared in: 2026-08-21 (#14)

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