Sec. 2. Findings
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Congress finds that— there are archeological, sacred, and historic resources located throughout the Greater Chaco region, which spans the States of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado; the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a unit of the National Park System and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site, is known around the world— for multi-story buildings constructed by the Chacoan people that are still standing; and as the nerve center of a culture that spread throughout and dominated the Four Corners area during the 9th, 10th, and 11th centuries; the Chacoan people built hundreds of miles of roads and a network of villages, shrines, and communications sites, many of which are still visible; many Pueblos and Indian Tribes in the Four Corners area claim cultural affiliation with, and are descended from, the Chacoan people; the landscape around the Chaco Culture National Historical Park includes hundreds of internationally and nationally significant cultural resources, including prehistoric roads, communities, and shrines— many of which are related to the resources found in the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, including the resources recognized 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 Archeological Protection Sites; a significant number of which are concentrated within the immediate area surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park; and that are commonly recognized by archeologists; long considered one of the best places for stargazing in the world, Chaco Culture National Historical Park— in 1991, established a night skies protection initiative and interpretive program to protect the night sky in the area of the Chaco Culture National Historical Park; and in 2013, was certified as an International Dark Sky Park; the Greater Chaco landscape in the State of New Mexico extends beyond Chaco Culture National Historical Park and encompasses— local communities, including Pueblos and Indian Tribes; and public land, which includes additional cultural resources and sacred sites; 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— Chaco Canyon, which was designated as a National Monument in 1907 and as the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in 1980; the Aztec Ruins, which was designated as a National Monument in 1923 and expanded in each of 1928, 1930, 1948, and 1988; and the 39 Chaco Culture Archeological Protection Sites designated in 1995; recognizes that the standard for Tribal consultation is outlined in Executive Order 13175 ( 25 U.S.C. 5301 note; relating to consultation and coordination with Indian Tribal governments); extensive natural gas development has occurred in the Greater Chaco region that affect the health, safety, economies, and quality of life of local communities; renewed interest in oil exploration and production within the Mancos/Gallup Shale play has increased the potential for— significant impacts on resources and visitor experiences at the Chaco Culture National Historical Park; and additional impacts on local communities in the Greater Chaco region, including Pueblos and Indian Tribes; a mineral withdrawal in the landscape around the Chaco Culture National Historical Park would prevent leasing and development in the immediate area surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, which would protect resources and visitor experiences at the Chaco Culture National Historical Park; and additional studies and protective measures should be undertaken to address health, safety, and environmental impacts on communities and interests of Pueblos and Indian Tribes in the Greater Chaco landscape.
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- Pub. L. 104-11
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