I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2861 
To provide for the withdrawal and protection of certain Federal land in 
the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 10, 2025 
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ (for herself, Ms. STANSBURY, and Mr. VASQUEZ) in-
troduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Nat-
ural Resources 
A BILL 
To provide for the withdrawal and protection of certain Fed-
eral land in the State of New Mexico, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Chaco Cultural Herit-
age Area Protection Act of 2025’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that— 
(1) there are archeological, sacred, and historic 
resources located throughout the Greater Chaco re-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:01 Apr 24, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2861.IH
H2861
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
gion, which spans the States of New Mexico, Ari-
zona, Utah, and Colorado; 
(2) the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, 
a unit of the National Park System and a United 
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organi-
zation World Heritage Site, is known around the 
world— 
(A) for multi-story buildings constructed 
by the Chacoan people that are still standing; 
and 
(B) as the nerve center of a culture that 
spread throughout and dominated the Four 
Corners area during the 9th, 10th, and 11th 
centuries; 
(3) the Chacoan people built hundreds of miles 
of roads and a network of villages, shrines, and com-
munications sites, many of which are still visible; 
(4) many Pueblos and Indian Tribes in the 
Four Corners area claim cultural affiliation with, 
and are descended from, the Chacoan people; 
(5) the landscape around the Chaco Culture 
National Historical Park includes hundreds of inter-
nationally and nationally significant cultural re-
sources, including prehistoric roads, communities, 
and shrines— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:01 Apr 24, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2861.IH
H2861
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(A) many of which are related to the re-
sources found in the Chaco Culture National 
Historical Park, including the resources recog-
nized by the amendment made by section 3 of 
the Chacoan Outliers Protection Act of 1995 
(16 U.S.C. 410ii note; Public Law 104–11) 
providing for additional Chaco Culture Archeo-
logical Protection Sites; 
(B) a significant number of which are con-
centrated within the immediate area sur-
rounding the Chaco Culture National Historical 
Park; and 
(C) that are commonly recognized by ar-
cheologists; 
(6) long considered one of the best places for 
stargazing in the world, Chaco Culture National 
Historical Park— 
(A) in 1991, established a night skies pro-
tection initiative and interpretive program to 
protect the night sky in the area of the Chaco 
Culture National Historical Park; and 
(B) in 2013, was certified as an Inter-
national Dark Sky Park; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:01 Apr 24, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2861.IH
H2861
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(7) the Greater Chaco region extends beyond 
Chaco Culture National Historical Park and encom-
passes— 
(A) local communities, including the Pueb-
lo Indian Tribes, the Navajo Nation, the Hopi 
Tribe, and other Indian Tribes; and 
(B) public and private land, which includes 
additional cultural resources and sacred sites; 
(8) for over 110 years, the Federal Government 
has recognized the importance of the area in which 
the Chacoan people lived and has acted to protect 
historic and sacred sites in the area, including— 
(A) Chaco Canyon, which was designated 
as a National Monument in 1907 and as the 
Chaco Culture National Historical Park in 
1980; 
(B) the Aztec Ruins, which was designated 
as a National Monument in 1923 and expanded 
in each of 1928, 1930, 1948, and 1988; and 
(C) the 39 Chaco Culture Archeological 
Protection Sites designated in 1995; 
(9) recognizes that the standard for Tribal con-
sultation is outlined in Executive Order 13175 (25 
U.S.C. 5301 note; relating to consultation and co-
ordination with Indian Tribal governments); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:01 Apr 24, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2861.IH
H2861
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(10) extensive natural gas development has oc-
curred in the Greater Chaco region that affect the 
health, safety, economies, and quality of life of local 
communities; 
(11) renewed interest in oil exploration and pro-
duction within the Mancos/Gallup Shale play has in-
creased the potential for— 
(A) significant impacts on cultural and 
other resources, the holistic experience of the 
sacred landscape, and visitor experiences at the 
Chaco Culture National Historical Park; and 
(B) additional impacts on local commu-
nities in the Greater Chaco region, including 
the Pueblo Indian Tribes, the Navajo Nation, 
the Hopi Tribe, and other Indian Tribes; 
(12) a mineral withdrawal in the landscape 
around the Chaco Culture National Historical Park 
would prevent leasing and development on Federal 
land and of Federal minerals in the immediate area 
surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical 
Park, which would protect resources and visitor ex-
periences at the Chaco Culture National Historical 
Park; 
(13) additional studies and protective measures 
should be undertaken to address health, safety, and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:01 Apr 24, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2861.IH
H2861
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
environmental impacts on communities and interests 
of the Pueblo Indian Tribes, the Navajo Nation, the 
Hopi Tribe, and other Indian Tribes in the Greater 
Chaco region; and 
(14) the Greater Chaco region continues to be 
used for ceremonial and cultural purposes by the 
Pueblo Indian Tribes, the Navajo Nation, the Hopi 
Tribe, and other Indian Tribes. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) COVERED
LEASE.—The term ‘‘covered 
lease’’ means any oil or gas lease for Federal land— 
(A) on which drilling operations have not 
been commenced before the end of the primary 
term of the applicable lease; 
(B) that is not producing oil or gas in pay-
ing quantities; and 
(C) that is not subject to a valid coopera-
tive or unit plan of development or operation 
certified by the Secretary to be necessary. 
(2) FEDERAL LAND.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Federal 
land’’ means— 
(i) any Federal land or interest in 
Federal land that is within the boundaries 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:01 Apr 24, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2861.IH
H2861
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Withdrawal 
Area, as depicted on the Withdrawal Map; 
and 
(ii) any land or interest in land lo-
cated within the boundaries of the Chaco 
Cultural Heritage Withdrawal Area, as de-
picted on the Withdrawal Map, that is ac-
quired by the Federal Government after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
(B) 
EXCLUSION.—The 
term 
‘‘Federal 
land’’ does not include trust land (as defined in 
section 3765 of title 38, United States Code). 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(4) WITHDRAWAL
MAP.—The term ‘‘With-
drawal Map’’ means the map prepared by the Bu-
reau of Land Management entitled ‘‘Proposed With-
drawal Chaco Culture National Historic Park Sur-
rounding Area’’ and dated January 6, 2022, as re-
ferred to in the notice of the Secretary entitled ‘‘No-
tice of Proposed Withdrawal and Public Meetings; 
San Juan County, NM’’ (87 Fed. Reg. 785 (Janu-
ary 6, 2022)). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:01 Apr 24, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2861.IH
H2861
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
SEC. 4. WITHDRAWAL OF CERTAIN FEDERAL LAND IN THE 
STATE OF NEW MEXICO. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to any valid existing 
rights, the Federal land is withdrawn from— 
(1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and dis-
posal under the public land laws; 
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining 
laws; and 
(3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral 
materials, and geothermal leasing laws. 
(b) AVAILABILITY
OF
WITHDRAWAL
MAP.—The 
Withdrawal Map shall be made available for inspection at 
each appropriate office of the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment. 
(c) CONVEYANCE OF FEDERAL LAND TO INDIAN 
TRIBES.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary 
may convey the Federal land to, or exchange the Federal 
land with, an Indian Tribe in accordance with a resource 
management plan that is approved as of the date of enact-
ment of this Act, as subsequently developed, amended, or 
revised in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and 
any other applicable law. 
(d) OIL AND GAS LEASE MANAGEMENT.— 
(1) 
TERMINATION
OF
NON-PRODUCING 
LEASES.—A covered lease— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:01 Apr 24, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2861.IH
H2861
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(A) shall automatically terminate by oper-
ation of law pursuant to section 17(e) of the 
Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(e)) and 
subpart 3108 of title 43, Code of Federal Regu-
lations (or successor regulations); and 
(B) may not be extended by the Secretary. 
(2) WITHDRAWAL
OF
TERMINATED, RELIN-
QUISHED, OR ACQUIRED LEASES.—Any portion of 
the Federal land subject to a covered lease termi-
nated under paragraph (1) or otherwise or relin-
quished or acquired by the United States on or after 
the date of enactment of this Act is withdrawn 
from— 
(A) all forms of entry, appropriation, and 
disposal under the public land laws; 
(B) location, entry, and patent under the 
mining laws; and 
(C) operation of the mineral leasing, min-
eral materials, and geothermal leasing laws. 
(e) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section— 
(1) affects the mineral rights of an Indian 
Tribe or a member of the Navajo Nation or any 
other Indian Tribe to trust land or allotment land; 
or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:01 Apr 24, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2861.IH
H2861
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(2) precludes improvements to, or rights-of-way 
for water, power, utility, or road development on, the 
Federal land to assist communities adjacent to or in 
the vicinity of the Federal land. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:01 Apr 24, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2861.IH
H2861
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB