Rep. Nick Rahall (D, WV) has introduced The Native American Sacred Lands Act (H.R. 5155, to counter growing threats to holy places like Quechan Indian Pass and Zuni Salt Lake. The bill would create a process by which Native Americans can petition federal land management agencies to withdraw sacred lands from development, and go to court to seek protection if the land managers fail to protect culturally significant places. Rahall is the ranking Democrat on the House Resources Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Jim Hansen (R, UT) and the bill’s future is uncertain. While the draft legislation is far from perfect, it is a very important first step, and along with the oversight hearings currently underway in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, H.R. 5155 demonstrates that enforceable sacred land protection is now a Congressional priority. Concerned citizens should keep the pressure on! Write your Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 5155 and hold hearings to seek comments from Native Americans to help make The Native American Sacred Lands Act a strong and effective law.

Read a commentary on the proposed legislation by Charles Levendosky and a report from Indian Country Today.