Valley of Dreams - Greater Chaco Landscape

The Greater Chaco Landscape contains vast expanses of incredible eroded rock formations of every color and form, ancient fossil forests, and complete dinosaur skeletons.  Most of these areas are Public Lands managed by the BLM.  Some are protected as wilderness areas; others are virtually open to future oil and gas industrialization.  The Valley of Dreams is presently not classified for protection by the BLM.

Valley of Dreams is one of the most stunning landscapes I have ever worked in.  It is a very special place.  How long these areas will remain as they are is an unknown.  Oil and gas industrialization has increased 400 percent in the last decade in the Greater Chaco Landscape.  Click here to see and experience this Greater Chaco Landscape Sacred Site.

be strong, be safe, Talon

Chaco Sacred Sites

Technology is wonderful...other times I wonder.  Sometimes the Grandfathers simply like to have some fun with me.  That actually puts a smile on my face.  I know they are there.  The link I posted to view the Chaco Sacred Sites video may...or may not...have worked.  Tonight it is working.  At least at this time.  Let me know if you have a problem.  Thank you for taking a moment to view the video.

Click here to view the Sacred Sites - Greater Chaco Viewscape

be strong, be safe, Talon

Sacred Sites Greater Chaco Landscape

Energy exploration and development are currently permitted on and adjacent to Sacred Sites located in the Greater Chaco Landscape managed by the Bureau of Land Management.  Oil production in the Chaco Landscape has increased 400 percent in the last decade.  The oil and gas industrialization has erased the history and identity of many cultural resources.  On March 28, 2019 the BLM sold another 10,000 acres of undetermined cultural value in Greater Chaco.  The BLM is not meeting its legal due diligence prior to leasing these areas.

Last week we documented some adjacent sites which are currently managed by BLM in the Greater Chaco Landscape.  These sites are untouched at this time.  Once an area is disturbed, it cannot be replaced.  Mitigation does not work. These Sacred Sites could be leased for oil and gas at a future date if not protected.  

Click here to view the SACRED SITES

Honor it.  It is Sacred.  It needs to be permanently protected for  the Pueblo People and America.

be strong, be safe, Talon

Greater Chaco Landscape Sacred Sites

 A few miles north of Chaco Canyon lies the remains of an ancient outpost.  It was undoubtedly an imposing and impressive place in 900 AD.  Built atop a towering butte, it would have been visible for many miles.  At night, great fires would have urged weary travelers onward.  Even now, at sunset, for example, or when the wind rises, it is an evocative and powerful place.

Yet, today, it has become a different kind of outpost. This is where intensive oil and gas development, which has increased over 400 percent in the last decade, completely transforms much of the northwestern New Mexico landscape.

On this past Monday in Santa Fe, during the first of several congressional hearings, tribal leaders and key witnesses spoke about the need for stronger Federal oil and gas regulations.  Acoma Pueblo Gov. Brian Valio told members of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources that not enough is being done to safeguard sacred sites in the Greater Chaco Landscape beyond the National Park at Chaco Canyon.  "Many cultural resources and sites exist which the Bureau of Land Management does not currently recognize", he said.

Our current  administration must honor repeated requests from tribal leaders and withdraw lands surrounding Chaco Canyon from future oil and gas leasing. The Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs must finish the long-awaited joint management plan for the area.  The plan should be based on a detailed viewscape and soundscape field study.  It must include significantly stronger protections for cultural resources, as well as local residents, including limiting the location and scale of development.

We need proper leadership more now than ever to accomplish this.

be strong, be safe, Talon