Arizona · Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Virgin Slope
BLM found a wildlife resource here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 5 active mining claims (and 1 more BLM lists as Filed) and 7 rights of way inside the line today, and two grazing allotments cover part of it. It covers 39,655 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 6 claims sit inside this line: 5 active and 1 filed and pending, 2 with a holder BLM names and 4 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 5 as Active and 1 as Filed.
- Names withheld by BLM (private individuals)4claims
- ALLEN POTTER NIS GROUP INC1claim
- GLOBEX NEVADA 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
7 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 6 under non-energy facilities and 1 under other energy facilities.
- MOHAVE COUNTY (Arizona)1right of way
- Holder not listed by BLM1right of way
- MOHAVE COUNTY (Arizona) - PUBLIC WORKS1right of way
- RIO VIRGIN TEL CO DBA RELIANCE CONNECTS1right of way
- DIXIE POWER1right of way
- MOHAVE CNTY BD OF SUPVRS1right of way
- BEAVER DAM WATER CO1right of way
Grazing allotments
2 grazing allotments cover part of this line. Their permittees aren't named here yet.
- Littlefield Comm.75,230acres
- Mesquite Community48,676acres
The nearest areas
- Virgin River CorridorArizona · 2,065 acres · at least 5 active mining claims, 5 rights of way, 10 grazing allotments covering part of it10miles
- Beaver Dam SlopeArizona · 52,079 acres · 10 rights of way, 6 grazing allotments covering part of it12miles
- Virgin RiverNevada · 6,184 acres · 2 rights of way16miles
- Gold Butte Part CNevada · 35,707 acres · 5 rights of way, 4 grazing allotments covering part of it16miles
- Beaver Dam SlopeNevada · 36,802 acres · 7 rights of way, 7 grazing allotments covering part of it17miles
Next to it
Gold Butte Part C Area of Critical Environmental Concern touches the line.
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 Slope. 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