Arizona · Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Vulture Mountains
BLM found a wildlife resource and a scenic value here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 8 active mining claims (and 3 more BLM lists as Filed) and 1 right of way inside the line today, and three grazing allotments cover part of it. It covers 6,496 acres and was designated April 22, 2010, in the Bradshaw-Harquahala 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 11 claims sit inside this line: 8 active and 3 filed and pending, 11 with a holder BLM names. BLM lists 8 as Active and 3 as Filed.
- NEW ENERGY METALS (US) INC3claims
- STREAM METALS LLC3claims
- ROADRUNNER PROSPECTORS CLUB INC2claims
- US REE AND LITHIUM MINING LLC2claims
- JK & DL ENTERPRISES LLC1claim
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 non-energy facilities.
- MARICOPA COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL1right of way
Grazing allotments
3 grazing allotments cover part of this line. Their permittees aren't named here yet.
- Garcia51,846acres
- Jones27,504acres
- Los Caballeros16,974acres
The nearest areas
- Black ButteArizona · 9,552 acres · 2 grazing allotments covering part of it13miles
- Tule CreekArizona · 643 acres · at least 1 mining claim BLM lists as Filed, a grazing allotment covering part of it31miles
- Harquahala MountainsArizona · 77,246 acres · at least 40 active mining claims and 30 more BLM lists as Filed, 3 rights of way, 5 grazing allotments covering part of it32miles
- Saddle MountainArizona · 55,504 acres · 13 rights of way, 5 grazing allotments covering part of it34miles
- Three Rivers RiparianArizona · 31,589 acres · at least 48 active mining claims and 5 more BLM lists as Filed or Under Review, 3 rights of way, 9 grazing allotments covering part of it49miles
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 Vulture Mountains. 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