GOP coalition calls for ethics investigation after Haaland's Chaco Canyon decision

By Ron Dungan
Published: Monday, June 5, 2023 - 5:03pm
Updated: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 - 7:33am
Coverage of tribal natural resources is supported in part by Catena Foundation

Last week, the Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland announced restrictions on oil and gas drilling on lands within a 10-mile radius of Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, but the move has met opposition.

The Navajo Nation released a statement that said while it favored some restrictions, it thought the 10-mile closure area was too large and could result in lost jobs for tribal members.

On Monday, a coalition of House Republicans, including Arizona’s Paul Gosar, signed a letter calling for an investigation into Haaland’s work with the Pueblo Action Alliance, a New Mexico advocacy group opposed to drilling in the region.

Haaland, the first Native American to serve on the Cabinet, is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna.

The complaint says the secretary’s decision may have violated federal ethics standards.