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Arizona · Area of Critical Environmental Concern

Cuerda De Lena

BLM found a natural system, a wildlife resource, a cultural value and a historic value here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 545 active mining claims (and 57 more BLM lists as Filed or Under Review) and 7 rights of way inside the line today, and three grazing allotments cover part of it. It covers 59,281 acres and was designated September 14, 2012, in the Lower Sonoran RMP. In the plan's name, RMP stands for resource management plan.

Acres59,281
DesignatedSep 14, 2012Lower Sonoran RMP
BLM founda natural system, a wildlife resource, a cultural value and a historic valueand found it important
Inside, at least555claims, rights of way and allotments, and 57 more claims BLM lists as Filed or Under Review

The line

Cuerda De Lena
Mining claim, 545Filed, 53Under Review, 4Right of way, 7
Ground: USGS The National Map, topographic tiles. Boundaries: BLM's own, read Oct 20, 2026. 227 marks are where BLM's own maps draw them; 382 claims are placed at the middle of the section or survey lot their land description names, not at the stakes on the ground. Hover or tap one for its holder. The 3 grazing allotments below aren't marked.

Who holds the claims

At least 602 claims sit inside this line: 545 active and 57 filed and pending, 602 with a holder BLM names. BLM lists 545 as Active, 53 as Filed and 4 as Under Review.

  • FREEPORT MCMORAN EXPLORATION CORP488claims
  • FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION82claims
  • DESTINY RESOURCES LLC32claims

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

7 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 5 under non-energy facilities, 1 under other energy facilities and 1 under fiber optic facilities.

  • AZ PUBLIC SERVICE1right of way
  • U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION1right of way
  • TABLE TOP TEL CO1right of way
  • U.S. BORDER PATROL1right of way
  • AZ DOT1right of way

Grazing allotments

3 grazing allotments cover part of this line. Their permittees aren't named here yet.

  • Childs102,879acres
  • Cameron67,177acres
  • Coyote Flat #222,004acres

The nearest areas

More from BLM's Arizona office

Every area BLM's Arizona office holds

The proposed rule

A proposed rule, RIN 1004-AF53, would change how BLM drafts every land use plan, and how it designates ACECs like Cuerda De Lena. 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

Watch the ruleWhere the rule stands