Arizona · Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Desert Grasslands RNA - Sombrero Butte
BLM found a natural system and a natural process here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 7 active mining claims inside the line today, and a grazing allotment covers part of it. It covers 361 acres and was designated July 1, 1994, 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 7 claims sit inside this line: 7 active, 7 with a holder BLM names. BLM lists 7 as Active.
- DESERT FOX SOMBRERO BUTTE CO7claims
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.
Grazing allotments
A grazing allotment covers part of this line. Its permittee isn't named here yet.
- Copper Creek18,636acres
The nearest areas
- Table Mountain RNAArizona · 1,218 acres · at least 3 active mining claims, a grazing allotment covering part of it8miles
- Turkey Creek RiparianArizona · 2,213 acres · a grazing allotment covering part of it11miles
- Desert Grasslands RNA - PilaresArizona · 101 acres · 2 grazing allotments covering part of it14miles
- Swamp Springs-Hot Springs WatershedArizona · 17,875 acres · 2 rights of way, 3 grazing allotments covering part of it26miles
- Bear Springs BadlandsArizona · 3,213 acres · 1 right of way, 2 grazing allotments covering part of it32miles
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 Desert Grasslands RNA - Sombrero Butte. 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