The Navajo Nation Council’s Resources and Development Committee and Law and Order Committee convened a joint meeting to address enforcement challenges related to grazing permits and violations of the Nation’s Agricultural Resource Management Plan. Key issues include limited education for permit holders, noncompliance with livestock counts, unclear permit boundaries, unauthorized grazing, and the impact of feral and unbranded livestock contributing to overgrazing. The existing Agricultural Resource Management Plan, established in 1947, is outdated, as current livestock numbers far exceed recommended levels. Enforcement efforts are hindered by jurisdictional confusion between agencies, staffing shortages, and weak sentencing for offenses like cattle rustling.
To improve enforcement, the committees are working on amendments to Titles 3 and 17 of the Navajo Nation Code and plan to introduce legislation during the 2026 Summer Council Session. They are also pursuing a memorandum of agreement to cross-deputize officers, enhancing coordinated law enforcement support. Department leaders and law enforcement officials emphasized the need for stronger interagency cooperation and clearer enforcement roles. The Bureau of Indian Affairs acknowledged that while it manages grazing permits, enforcement responsibility lies with the Navajo Nation. A follow-up leadership meeting is scheduled for February 19 to continue addressing these issues.
