California · Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Merced River
BLM found a natural system and a scenic value here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 4 active mining claims (and 2 more BLM lists as Filed) and 6 rights of way inside the line today, and three grazing allotments cover part of it. It covers 3,810 acres and was designated February 1, 2008, in the Sierra.
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: 4 active and 2 filed and pending, 6 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 4 as Active and 2 as Filed.
- 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
6 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 4 under non-energy facilities and 2 under other energy facilities.
- MERCED IRRIGATION DISTRICT2rights of way
- PG&E1right of way
- AT&T CALIFORNIA1right of way
- A private individual, name withheld by this site1right of way
- MOTHER LODE FIELD OFFICE1right of way
Grazing allotments
3 grazing allotments cover part of this line. Their permittees aren't named here yet.
- Allotment USFS-GRZ-10061.01034834,418acres
- Allotment USFS-GRZ-10097.01045617,384acres
- Merced Allotment11,188acres
The nearest areas
- Limestone SalamanderCalifornia · 2,179 acres · at least 7 active mining claims and 1 more BLM lists as Filed, 1 right of way, 4 grazing allotments covering part of it1miles
- Bagby SerpentineCalifornia · 5,787 acres · at least 12 active mining claims and 6 more BLM lists as Filed, 10 rights of way, a grazing allotment covering part of it9miles
- Red HillsCalifornia · 9,920 acres · at least 1 mining claim BLM lists as Filed, 8 rights of way, 3 grazing allotments covering part of it28miles
- Nissenan ManzanitaCalifornia · 130 acres · nothing placed inside33miles
- Conway SummitCalifornia · 2,845 acres · at least 1 active mining claim and 2 more BLM lists as Filed, 2 rights of way, 5 grazing allotments covering part of it55miles
Next to it
Limestone Salamander 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 Merced River. 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