More Than Just ParksAmerica's Critical LandsPowered byPublic Lands Intelligence

California · Area of Critical Environmental Concern

Chuckwalla

BLM found a natural system, a wildlife resource, a cultural value, a scenic value, a natural process and a historic value here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 16 active mining claims (and 7 more BLM lists as Filed) and 89 rights of way inside the line today. It covers 649,066 acres and was designated September 14, 2016, in the CDCA as amended, DRECP amendment. In the plan's name, CDCA stands for California Desert Conservation Area and DRECP for Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.

Acres649,066
DesignatedSep 14, 2016CDCA as amended, DRECP amendment
BLM founda natural system, a wildlife resource, a cultural value, a scenic value, a natural process and a historic valueand found it important
Inside, at least105claims and rights of way, and 7 more claims BLM lists as Filed

The line

Chuckwalla
Mining claim, 11Claimant withheld by BLM, 5Filed, claimant withheld, 7Right of way, 89
Ground: USGS The National Map, topographic tiles. Boundaries: BLM's own, read Oct 20, 2026. 100 marks are where BLM's own maps draw them; 12 claims are placed at the middle of the section or quarter section their land description names, not at the stakes on the ground. Hover or tap one for its holder.

Who holds the claims

At least 23 claims sit inside this line: 16 active and 7 filed and pending, 11 with a holder BLM names and 12 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 16 as Active and 7 as Filed.

  • Names withheld by BLM (private individuals)12claims
  • KAISER EAGLE MTN INC10claims
  • West End Prospectors Club 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

89 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 52 under non-energy facilities, 25 under other energy facilities, 9 under oil & gas facilities, 2 under fiber optic facilities and 1 under none.

  • SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON CO11rights of way
  • CA DEPT PUBLIC WORKS10rights of way
  • SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS CO - LAND RIGHT WAY DEPT9rights of way
  • SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS CO6rights of way
  • METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT6rights of way

The nearest areas

Next to it

Alligator Rock Area of Critical Environmental Concern, Picacho Area of Critical Environmental Concern, Desert Lily Preserve Area of Critical Environmental Concern, Corn Springs Area of Critical Environmental Concern and 2 more touch 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 Chuckwalla. 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