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California · Area of Critical Environmental Concern

In-Ko-Pah Mountains

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 8 active mining claims and 3 rights of way inside the line today. It covers 9,764 acres and was designated October 1, 2008, in the Eastern San Diego County MFP. In the plan's name, MFP stands for management framework plan.

Acres9,764
DesignatedOct 1, 2008Eastern San Diego County MFP
BLM founda natural system, a wildlife resource, a cultural value, a natural process and a historic valueand found it important
Inside, at least11claims and rights of way

The line

In-Ko-Pah Mountains
Claimant withheld by BLM, 8Right of way, 3
Ground: USGS The National Map, topographic tiles. Boundaries: BLM's own, read Oct 20, 2026. 4 marks are where BLM's own maps draw them; 7 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.

Who holds the claims

At least 8 claims sit inside this line: 8 active, 8 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 8 as Active.

  • 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

3 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 1 under other energy facilities, 1 under wind energy facilities and 1 under non-energy facilities.

  • SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC CO1right of way
  • TULE WIND LLC1right of way
  • HARMONY GROVE PARTNERS LP1right of way

The nearest areas

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 In-Ko-Pah 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

Watch the ruleWhere the rule stands