Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two key conservation measures: the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act (H.R. 2181), which would ban new leasing on federal lands within a 10-mile buffer zone surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park, and the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act (H.R. 1373), which would make permanent a moratorium on new uranium mining on one million acres of public lands north and south of the Grand Canyon.
In response, Sierra Club leaders from New Mexico and Arizona issued the following statements:
"Expanded fracking in Greater Chaco threatens our region's rich cultural history, community health, and Indigenous rights,” said Miya King Flaherty, Organizing Representative for the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter. “Today’s vote is an important step toward protecting the region and cultural resources, and we applaud Representatives Luján, Haaland, and Torres Small for their leadership on this issue. We look forward to continuing to work with our elected leaders to achieve full and permanent protections for the broader Chaco landscape and the people who live there.”
“This is a great day for Grand Canyon and all of the people of Arizona who care deeply about this special place—from Tribal Nations to local government to conservation and community organizations,” said Sandy Bahr, chapter director for Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter. “We appreciate the leadership and support for the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act from more than half of the Arizona delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives and now call on our two Arizona U.S. Senators to show that same leadership and introduce the bill in the Senate.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.