The Navajo Nation has officially declared a drought emergency after President Buu Nygren signed the declaration on Wednesday, June 10, putting immediate measures into effect to address worsening conditions across the reservation.
The declaration, which was unanimously approved by the Commission on Emergency Management (CEM) on Tuesday before being signed by Nygren, responds to severe and ongoing drought conditions that have reduced precipitation, strained water supplies, degraded rangelands, lowered reservoir levels, and threatened the economic well-being of Navajo communities.
“The conditions we are seeing across the Navajo Nation require immediate and coordinated action,” said CEM Chairman Marcarlo Roanhorse. “This declaration is intended to help mobilize resources, support our chapters and livestock producers, and strengthen our drought preparedness efforts before conditions worsen further.”
The emergency declaration takes effect immediately and rescinds Resolution No. CEM 25-005, the 2025 Declaration of Drought Emergency. It will remain in effect until it is rescinded or replaced through future action by the Commission on Emergency Management and the Office of the President and Vice President.
Under Navajo Nation law, the Commission on Emergency Management, working with the Department of Emergency Management, is authorized to coordinate disaster response efforts with Navajo Nation programs and outside partners. The commission may also seek assistance from federal, state, tribal, local, and private entities to support emergency response and recovery efforts.
Commission members advanced the declaration after reviewing worsening drought conditions across the region and considering recent emergency actions taken by Arizona and New Mexico. State officials have pointed to persistent drought, below-average precipitation, elevated wildfire risks, and growing impacts on water resources and agriculture.
The commission also reviewed U.S. Drought Monitor data showing that Arizona experienced its hottest and driest January-through-March period on record in 2026, with extreme drought persisting across portions of Navajo, Apache, and Coconino counties.
To address the crisis, the declaration recommends that the Division of Natural Resources move forward with drought mitigation infrastructure projects, including repairs to windmills and improvements to livestock water storage systems.
The commission also recommended allocating $6,553,730 from the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund to support drought mitigation efforts, including windmill repairs and related water infrastructure improvements.
In addition, Navajo Nation chapters are encouraged to activate local emergency mitigation plans and coordinate with Administrative Service Centers, the Division of Community Development, the Department of Emergency Management, and other entities to strengthen preparedness and response efforts.
During Tuesday’s meeting, CEM Commissioner Johnny Johnson requested an update from Department of Emergency Management Acting Director Laura Mike on the status of the Navajo Nation Hazard Mitigation Plan and efforts to update the 2006 Drought Contingency Plan.
Mike told commissioners that the Division of Natural Resources previously developed the Navajo Nation Drought Contingency Plan and that both the Department of Emergency Management and the Department of Justice are currently reviewing the documents. She added that an update will be presented at the commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting.
