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MARCH 27, 2001

A national monument whose creation was opposed by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) and which contains ancient Puebloan ruins contains "moderate to high volumes of oil and gas," according to a US Geological Survey report.

The Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado was created during the Clinton administration. It is one of several that are the subject of a House Committee on Resources investigation about the potential for oil and gas development. But the report's findings are not surprising because active oil wells currently exist on adjacent Bureau of Land Management lands.

When the monument was created, oil and gas extraction rights were preserved, as were treaty hunting and ceremonial use rights. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe uses the area.

It is approximately 164,000 square feet.

Get the Story:
Monument oil reserve eyed (The Denver Post 3/27)

Relevant Links:
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument - http://www.co.blm.gov/canm/index.html