Extreme drought has hit the Navajo Nation. Nation President Ben Shelly signed a declaration of emergency Monday. Shelly is directing all executive branch agencies of the Nation to develop plans for responding to the drought and educating the public about the effects.
Over the last month, drought conditions have increased throughout the 27,000-square-mile reservation. Some areas have seen just over one third of normal precipitation this year. Shelly said the land is dry and wells are not producing water like they have in the past.
The declaration makes emergency funds available for Navajo communities and clears the way for the tribe to seek a federal disaster declaration.