On behalf of the Southwest Conference, Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons is one of 253 faith and Indigenous leaders who signed this letter. Several other SWC clergy also signed the letter.
Rev. Lyons also submitted the following public comment on the project to the Bureau of Land Management:
As the faith leader for the United Church of Christ in Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso Texas, I support increased protections for the Greater Chaco Landscape, and the proposed withdrawal of fossil fuel drilling operations from the ten-mile area surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Withdrawing from the area is a positive step toward returning all of their homeland to descendants of the Anasazi people, the Hopi people, and the Diné people from whom it was stolen. These sacred lands came under Bureau of Land Management (BLM) control through a violent history of colonization and genocide. The result of this occupation has been exploitation of the land and its inhabitants through destructive development resulting in environmental devastation. The time has come for BLM to end these injustices. The time has come for BLM to return these sacred lands to the peoples who first occupied them.
Excerpt from the April 28 press release:
Washington, DC – Today, 253 faith and Indigenous leaders from across the nation sent this letter to Secretary Deb Haaland in support of increased protections for the Greater Chaco Landscape, including the Biden Administration’s proposed withdrawal of federal lands within 10 miles of Chaco Culture National Historical park from future oil and gas drilling for 20 years. The letter thanks the Secretary for the proposed withdrawal, and urges its final approval.
“As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Chaco Canyon tells an ancient and powerful story of the rich history, culture, spirituality and resiliency of Indigenous communities throughout the American Southwest. Since time immemorial, these communities have had a deep and sacred connection to the land, water, and wildlife of this important area. It is our moral responsibility as a nation, and our sacred task as spiritual leaders to be responsible stewards of creation and work to protect places of such remarkable cultural, spiritual, historical and ecological significance,” the signers wrote in their letter.
Chaco Canyon has dealt with the consequences of oil and gas drilling through diminished water and air quality, which have put local and Indigenous communities at risk for developing illnesses, like asthma and cancer. The withdrawal would safeguard public health and also ensure the protection of roughly 350,000 acres of wildlife habitat and thousands of archaeological and cultural sites. This land has been historically, spiritually, and ecologically significant to Indigenous communities for hundreds of years, and its protection is critical.
Signers of the letter include leaders from more than 30 different spiritual and faith traditions. Presbyterian minister Reverend Andrew Black, who spearheaded the letter through EarthKeepers 360, noted, “today, spiritual leaders across the country are united in calling for protection of Chaco Canyon and in applauding the Biden Administration’s plan to ban oil and gas development in a buffer zone around Chaco that will ensure that these sacred lands and waters, diverse wildlife and important cultural areas are safeguarded for future generations.” Reverend Black, who also serves as the National Wildlife Federation’s public lands field director, further stated: “it’s remarkable to have such a diverse array of spiritual leaders from across the country speaking in support of protecting Chaco Canyon. The breadth and depth of this support truly is a testament to how important Chaco Canyon is as a place of national significance with incredible history, culture, spirituality, and wildlife.”
Currently, the Bureau of Land Management is conducting a public comment period for people to voice their support of the withdrawal. The deadline for comment is May 6, 2022.