California · Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Kingston Range
BLM found a natural system, a wildlife resource, a scenic value and a natural process here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 6 active mining claims and 3 rights of way inside the line today, and a grazing allotment covers part of it. It covers 19,632 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.
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: 6 active, 6 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 6 as Active. None of the 6 claims was located before the area was designated.
- Names withheld by BLM (private individuals)6claims
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 3 under non-energy facilities.
- USGS1right of way
- CALIFORNIA DESERT DISTRICT OFFICE1right of way
- SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON CO1right of way
Grazing allotments
A grazing allotment covers part of this line. Its permittee isn't named here yet.
- Horsethief Springs113,444acres
The nearest areas
- Amargosa SouthCalifornia · 161,328 acres · at least 68 active mining claims and 15 more BLM lists as Filed or Under Review, 26 rights of way, a grazing allotment covering part of it11miles
- Stump SpringNevada · 647 acres · nothing placed inside14miles
- Mesquite LakeCalifornia · 6,761 acres · at least 20 mining claims BLM lists as Filed, a grazing allotment covering part of it20miles
- Kingston Range WSACalifornia · 42,371 acres · nothing placed inside20miles
- Shadow ValleyCalifornia · 211,614 acres · at least 34 active mining claims and 161 more BLM lists as Filed, 61 rights of way22miles
Next to it
Amargosa South Area of Critical Environmental Concern touches the line.
More from BLM's California office
Every area BLM's California 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 Kingston Range. 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