Joe Biden orders 20-year shutdown for mining and drilling in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico

President Joe Biden ordered a 20-year moratorium on oil and gas drilling in the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico on Friday.

The moratorium bans all new leases on public lands within a 10-mile radius of Chaco Canyon.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland issued a statement saying, "Today marks an important step in fulfilling President Biden’s commitments to Indian Country, by protecting Chaco Canyon, a sacred place that holds deep meaning for the indigenous peoples whose ancestors have called this place home since time immemorial. I value and appreciate the many Tribal leaders, elected officials, and stakeholders who have persisted in their work to conserve this special area."

The 30,000-acre park is one of the oldest and most culturally significant sites for Native Americans. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains structures that are thousands of years old.

Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning said, "The exceptional landscape in the Greater Chaco region has profound cultural importance. Today’s announcement marks an important step in ensuring Indigenous voices help inform the management of our public lands."

While protecting culturally historical sites is important, this is yet another move by the Biden administration that won't help alleviate the energy crisis crushing American budgets. Biden may be protecting cultural sites but there is no hiding his anti-energy policies.