September 2014 Update
The BLM parcels scheduled for leasing in January 2014 have been deferred thanks to
our efforts and the efforts of a broad coalition including the Hopi, the Western
Environmental Law Center, Wild Earth Guardians, and the San Juan Citizens
Alliance. However, the BLM has begun an EIS process in order to go to full field
development in the area. In late May, the Chaco Alliance, Western Environmental
Law Center, San Juan Citizens Alliance, and others filed over 100 pages of
scoping comments on the BLM's Mancos Shale management amendment and related EIS.
In addition, we have met with the New Mexico Preservation Officer and shared
concerns that recent improvements to the Chaco road were in violation of state
and federal laws. In August, the Hopi Tribe wrote that they "share the Chaco
Alliance's concerns that improvements have been or are about to be made to
CR7950 without consultation or compliance." We continue to monitor both the
energy development around Chaco and the Chaco road. We have long believed the
two are connected.