Arizona · Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Virgin River Corridor
BLM found a natural system, a cultural value, a scenic value and a fish resource here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 5 active mining claims and 5 rights of way inside the line today, and ten grazing allotments cover part of it. It covers 2,065 acres and was designated January 29, 2008, in the Arizona Strip Field Office RMP and ROD. In the plan's name, RMP stands for resource management plan and ROD for record of decision.
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 5 claims sit inside this line: 5 active, 2 with a holder BLM names and 3 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 5 as Active.
- Names withheld by BLM (private individuals)3claims
- WE MINE LLC1claim
- ALLEN POTTER NIS GROUP INC1claim
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
5 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 3 under non-energy facilities and 2 under other energy facilities.
- WASHINGTON COUNTY (Utah) - WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT1right of way
- MESQUITE IRRIGATION CO1right of way
- AZ DOT1right of way
- DIXIE POWER1right of way
- USGS1right of way
Grazing allotments
10 grazing allotments cover part of this line. Their permittees aren't named here yet.
- Littlefield Comm.75,230acres
- Sullivan Canyon21,625acres
- Beaver Dam Slope20,451acres
- Lambing-Starvation13,417acres
- Cedar Wash11,904acres
- Highway West11,515acres
- Littlefield3,250acres
- Mountain Sheep2,023acres
- Apex Slope2,011acres
- River1,767acres
The nearest areas
- Beaver Dam SlopeArizona · 52,079 acres · 10 rights of way, 6 grazing allotments covering part of it3miles
- Virgin SlopeArizona · 39,655 acres · at least 5 active mining claims and 1 more BLM lists as Filed, 7 rights of way, 2 grazing allotments covering part of it10miles
- Black KnollsArizona · 428 acres · at least 1 active mining claim, 1 right of way, 2 grazing allotments covering part of it14miles
- Beaver Dam SlopeNevada · 36,802 acres · 7 rights of way, 7 grazing allotments covering part of it15miles
- Lower Virgin RiverUtah · 1,806 acres · 3 grazing allotments covering part of it15miles
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 Virgin River Corridor. 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