Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2023

This bill withdraws specific federal lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park (in New Mexico) from oil and gas leasing and development. It automatically terminates non-producing oil and gas leases on these lands and prevents new leasing, protecting the area's cultural resources and sacred sites. The law directly affects the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area, benefiting Pueblo Indian Tribes, Navajo Nation, and Hopi Tribe who have cultural ties to the region. Key provisions include the land withdrawal, lease termination, and maintaining tribal mineral rights on trust land. The goal is to preserve the cultural landscape, visitor experience, and environmental integrity of the area.