Press Releases

LCV Statement on House Votes to Protect Grand Canyon and Chaco Canyon

Oct 30, 2019

Washington, D.C. — In anticipation of today’s passage of H.R. 1373, the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act and H.R. 2181, the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2019, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statement from Legislative Representative Laura Forero:

“Today’s votes to protect one million acres around the Grand Canyon from uranium mining and areas surrounding Chaco Canyon from oil and gas drilling are a victory for the indigenous communities who have fought tirelessly for hundreds of years to protect their ancestral lands from further desecration and for all of those impacted by deadly extractive pollution. We thank Chairman Grijalva for his steadfast leadership to protect the Grand Canyon and Chaco Canyon. We also thank Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Deb Haaland, and the entire New Mexico delegation for their strong leadership to protect Chaco Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to ancient indigenous structures and sacred lands.

“At a time when President Trump is nominating people like Lawrence VanDyke — who supported the approval of new oil and gas drilling near Chaco Canyon without proper environmental review — to lifelong judicial appointments, it is more important than ever to permanently protect our country’s natural, cultural, and historical treasures. The Senate should follow suit and ensure protections for lands surrounding the Grand Canyon and permanent protections of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area.”

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