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California · Area of Critical Environmental Concern

Cerro Gordo

BLM found a natural system, a wildlife resource, a cultural value, a natural process and a historic value here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 15 active mining claims (and 29 more BLM lists as Filed) and 2 rights of way inside the line today, and a grazing allotment covers part of it. It covers 10,464 acres and was designated September 14, 2016, in the CDCA Plan, as amended by DRECP. In the plan's name, CDCA stands for California Desert Conservation Area and DRECP for Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.

Acres10,464
DesignatedSep 14, 2016CDCA Plan, as amended by DRECP
BLM founda natural system, a wildlife resource, a cultural value, a natural process and a historic valueand found it important
Inside, at least18claims, rights of way and allotments, and 29 more claims BLM lists as Filed

The line

Cerro Gordo
Mining claim, 13Claimant withheld by BLM, 2Filed, 23Filed, claimant withheld, 6Right of way, 2
Ground: USGS The National Map, topographic tiles. Boundaries: BLM's own, read Oct 20, 2026. 23 marks are where BLM's own maps draw them; 23 claims are placed at the middle of the section their land description names, not at the stakes on the ground. Hover or tap one for its holder. The grazing allotment below isn't marked.

Who holds the claims

At least 44 claims sit inside this line: 15 active and 29 filed and pending, 36 with a holder BLM names and 8 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 29 as Filed and 15 as Active.

  • Mojave Precious Metals Inc20claims
  • PATTERSON PROPERTY TRUST16claims
  • Names withheld by BLM (private individuals)8claims

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

2 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 2 under non-energy facilities.

  • WESTERN SUMMIT ENTERPRISES, INC1right of way
  • CEQUEL III DBA CEBRIDGE1right of way

Grazing allotments

A grazing allotment covers part of this line. Its permittee isn't named here yet.

  • Hunter Mt Lee Flat53,958acres

The nearest areas

Next to it

Conglomerate Mesa Area of Critical Environmental Concern touches the line.

More from BLM's California office

Every area BLM's California 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 Cerro Gordo. 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