The Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2025 aims to safeguard the invaluable archaeological, sacred, and historic resources within the Greater Chaco region of New Mexico. This region, centered around the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, is recognized globally for its ancient Chacoan structures, extensive road networks, and deep cultural significance to numerous Pueblo and Indian Tribes. The bill acknowledges the historical federal efforts to protect these sites and the ongoing ceremonial use of the land by Indigenous communities. A primary provision of the Act is the withdrawal of Federal land within the designated Chaco Cultural Heritage Withdrawal Area from all new forms of entry, appropriation, disposal under public land laws, and operation of mineral leasing, mining, and geothermal leasing laws. This action is intended to prevent further impacts from oil and gas exploration and production, which have historically affected the health, safety, and quality of life for local communities and the holistic experience of the sacred landscape. The bill specifically addresses existing oil and gas leases by mandating the automatic termination of non-producing "covered leases" and prohibiting their extension, with the land from such leases also becoming withdrawn. Crucially, the legislation allows for the conveyance or exchange of Federal land to Indian Tribes in accordance with approved resource management plans. It also clarifies that the withdrawal does not affect the mineral rights of Indian Tribes or individual tribal members on trust or allotment land. Furthermore, the Act ensures that improvements or rights-of-way for water, power, utility, or road development to assist adjacent communities are not precluded, balancing protection with community needs.