NAVAJO RESERVATION — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed a drought emergency declaration on Wednesday, June 10. The declaration took effect immediately upon his signature, following a unanimous approval by the Commission on Emergency Management on Tuesday.

The new declaration rescinds Resolution No. CEM 25-005, the 2025 Declaration of Drought Emergency. This declaration will remain in effect until the commission and the Office of the President and Vice President rescind or replace it.

Marcarlo Roanhorse, Chairman of the commission, said, "The conditions we are seeing across the Navajo Nation require immediate and coordinated action. This declaration is intended to help mobilize resources, support our chapters and livestock producers, and strengthen our drought preparedness efforts before conditions worsen further."

Precipitation has decreased, water supplies are strained, rangelands have degraded, and reservoir levels have lowered across the reservation. To address these issues, the commission recommended allocating $6,553,730 from the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund for drought mitigation efforts. The declaration also recommends that the Division of Natural Resources proceed with repairs to windmills and improvements to livestock water storage systems.

Navajo Nation chapters are encouraged to activate their local emergency mitigation plans and coordinate with various departments, including Administrative Service Centers, the Division of Community Development, and the Department of Emergency Management. The commission is authorized to coordinate disaster response with outside partners and seek assistance from federal, state, tribal, local, and private entities.

During the meeting on Tuesday, the commission reviewed data indicating that Arizona experienced its hottest and driest January-through-March period on record in 2026. Extreme drought was documented across portions of Navajo, Apache, and Coconino counties during that year. CEM Commissioner Johnny Johnson requested an update on the Navajo Nation Hazard Mitigation Plan and the 2006 Drought Contingency Plan.

Acting Director Laura Mike stated that the Division of Natural Resources previously developed the Navajo Nation Drought Contingency Plan. She also said the Department of Emergency Management and the Department of Justice are reviewing the contingency plan documents. Mike indicated that an update on the contingency plan will be presented at the commission's next regularly scheduled meeting.