New Mexico’s public lands commissioner, Stephanie Garcia Richard, announced a 20-year extension of the state’s ban on new oil, gas, and mineral leasing around the Greater Chaco region. The extension continues decades of tribal efforts, along with efforts from elected officials, that sought to ensure the protection of 72,776 acres of state land that has cultural significance to the New Mexico Pueblos and area Tribes. The surrounding desert landscape of Chaco Canyon contains rich archaeological resources and Pueblo and other Tribal nation’s cultural sites, which are still utilized today.