Arizona · Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Bowie Mountain Scenic
BLM found a natural system, a wildlife resource, a scenic value and a historic value here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 1 mining claim BLM lists as Under Review and 1 right of way inside the line today, and three grazing allotments cover part of it. It covers 4,271 acres and was designated September 1, 1992, in the Safford RMP. In the plan's name, RMP stands for resource management plan.
One of the 1,120 places the Bureau of Land Management has designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. This page shows its line, what BLM found there and what sits inside it.
The line
Who holds the claims
At least 1 claim sits inside this line: 0 active and 1 filed and pending, 1 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 1 as Under Review. The claim wasn't located before the area was designated.
- Names withheld by BLM (private individuals)1claim
BLM's mining rules list designated ACECs among the places where mining that disturbs the surface beyond casual use needs a plan of operations BLM approves. Exploration of five acres or less can go ahead on a notice instead.
The rights of way
1 right of way sits inside the line. BLM files 1 under other energy facilities.
- SULPHUR SPRGS ELEC1right of way
Grazing allotments
3 grazing allotments cover part of this line. Their permittees aren't named here yet.
- HYL12,137acres
- Red Wing Ranch6,725acres
- Apache Springs3,424acres
The nearest areas
- Dos Cabezas PeaksArizona · 26 acres · at least 2 active mining claims, 2 grazing allotments covering part of it11miles
- Willcox Playa NNLArizona · 3,270 acres · at least 7 active mining claims, 2 grazing allotments covering part of it27miles
- Granite GapNew Mexico · 1,727 acres · 2 grazing allotments covering part of it27miles
- Northern Peloncillo MountainsNew Mexico · 781 acres · 3 grazing allotments covering part of it28miles
- Antelope Pass Research Natural AreaNew Mexico · 8,652 acres · at least 32 active mining claims and 101 more BLM lists as Filed or Under Review, 2 rights of way, 3 grazing allotments covering part of it33miles
More from BLM's Arizona office
Every area BLM's Arizona office holdsThe proposed rule
A proposed rule, RIN 1004-AF53, would change how BLM drafts every land use plan, and how it designates ACECs like Bowie Mountain Scenic. The comment window hasn't opened: the proposed rule wasn't in the Federal Register at our last check. The Watch sends one email the day it prints.
The rule's abstract
The purpose of this rulemaking is to establish in regulations an updated process for the approval of the development, revision, amendment, and maintenance of land use plans, as provided for by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, for public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Additionally, this rulemaking will provide clarification of the process the BLM uses for designating Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.Unified Agenda entry for RIN 1004-AF53, Publication ID 2026, reginfo.gov (OMB OIRA), read Oct 18, 2026