The parcels are located near a sensitive archaeological site, but some Indigenous leaders approve of the move, which will bring in millions in revenue.

Indigenous leaders are expressing mixed views on the Bureau of Land Management’s decision to approve oil and gas leases on parcels near the Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, a sensitive archaeological site. The decision came days before the presidential inauguration and applies to parcels sold at auction in 2019.
“One site is just over half a mile from the 10-mile buffer zone the Biden administration created to protect Chaco’s fragile cultural and environmental landscape,” explains Chad Bradley in High Country News. All 14 parcels are under review for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.
Acknowledging the potential of finding as-yet-undiscovered historical sites in the area, BLM Director of Minerals Michael Gibson said, “The lease sale itself does not directly authorize surface disturbance. Rather, leaseholders are granted future right of development to the leased mineral estate that is subject to site-specific analysis under (the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969).”
Some Navajo leaders object to the buffer zone, saying the tribe was not consulted and that tribal members could lose millions in potential revenue, and the Navajo Nation sued the BLM in January over these claims. “Meanwhile, another site in the Navajo community of Counselor Chapter is also up for review for a lease. Back in 2023, local residents joined with environmentalists and sued New Mexico for allegedly failing to prevent pollution from oil and gas production in the southeastern and northwestern areas of the state.”

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie