Navajo Nation approves Red Mesa land use plan recertification

The Resources and Development Committee approved Red Mesa Chapter’s Community-Based Land Use Plan recertification on Legislation No. 0110-26, putting an updated planning map in place for homesites, grazing, roads, utilities and future chapter projects in the Apache County community. The action certifies a reevaluated and readjusted version of Red Mesa’s 2017 plan.

Navajo law cited in the measure requires community land-use plans to be reevaluated and readjusted every five years. The plan is the chapter’s working framework for where growth can happen, what land should be protected and how local leaders line up future requests for housing, road work and utility service. The committee overseeing land, environment, infrastructure, community development, economic growth, transportation and housing gave the plan official weight inside the Navajo Nation system.

The regular meeting was held June 22, 2026, at Red Mesa Chapter, 155 Red Mesa Rd #35 in Red Mesa, Navajo Nation, Utah. The recertification gives chapter leaders a current document to use when they pursue improvements, weigh land-use changes or sort out how new projects fit with existing homesites and grazing needs.

Red Mesa became a separate chapter in August 1967 after residents asked for one because of long distances and unpaved roads. Before that, the Red Mesa area was part of Mexican Water Chapter and Teec Nos Pos Chapter. Over the last 50 years, population growth has been driven by intermarriage and jobs with schools and energy companies.

The chapter’s first community land-use plan was approved in 2008, and the earlier recertification was tied to a plan covering a community about 72 miles west of Farmington, New Mexico.