Coverage of tribal natural resources is supported in part by Catena Foundation
Last week, the Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland announced restrictions on oil and gas drilling on lands within a 10-mile radius of Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, but the move has met opposition.
The Navajo Nation released a statement that said while it favored some restrictions, it thought the 10-mile closure area was too large and could result in lost jobs for tribal members.
On Monday, a coalition of House Republicans, including Arizona’s Paul Gosar, signed a letter calling for an investigation into Haaland’s work with the Pueblo Action Alliance, a New Mexico advocacy group opposed to drilling in the region.
Haaland, the first Native American to serve on the Cabinet, is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna.
The complaint says the secretary’s decision may have violated federal ethics standards.
