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California · Area of Critical Environmental Concern

Mohave Ground Squirrel

BLM found a natural system, a wildlife resource and a natural process here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 32 active mining claims (and 370 more BLM lists as Filed) and 72 rights of way inside the line today, and ten grazing allotments cover part of it. It covers 213,299 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.

Acres213,299
DesignatedSep 14, 2016CDCA Plan, as amended by DRECP
BLM founda natural system, a wildlife resource and a natural processand found it important
Inside, at least114claims, rights of way and allotments, and 370 more claims BLM lists as Filed

The line

Mohave Ground Squirrel
Mining claim, 16Claimant withheld by BLM, 16Filed, 342Filed, claimant withheld, 28Right of way, 72
Ground: USGS The National Map, topographic tiles. Boundaries: BLM's own, read Oct 20, 2026. 212 marks are where BLM's own maps draw them; 262 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 2 leases and 10 grazing allotments below aren't marked.

Who holds the claims

At least 402 claims sit inside this line: 32 active and 370 filed and pending, 347 with a holder BLM names and 44 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 370 as Filed and 32 as Active.

  • MARLEYCO LLC273claims
  • WAYNE MINERALS INC54claims
  • Names withheld by BLM (private individuals)44claims
  • Several claimants on BLM's record11claims
  • CALPORTLAND CO7claims

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

72 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 55 under non-energy facilities, 13 under other energy facilities, 1 under fiber optic facilities, 1 under to be defined, 1 under water and 1 under other.

  • CA DEPT TRANSPORTATION7rights of way
  • VERIZON CALIFORNIA INC6rights of way
  • SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON CO6rights of way
  • SEARLES VALLEY MINERAL OPS INC5rights of way
  • USGS4rights of way

The geothermal leases

No active geothermal lease sits inside the line.

Not counted: 2 more leases BLM lists as Closed.

Grazing allotments

10 grazing allotments cover part of this line. Their permittees aren't named here yet.

  • Cantil Common329,795acres
  • Lacey-Cactus-McCloud169,055acres
  • Hansen Common72,147acres
  • Allotment USFS-GRZ-10516.01031860,604acres
  • Spangler Hills58,668acres

The nearest areas

Next to it

Great Falls Basin Area of Critical Environmental Concern, Mojave Fringe-Toed Lizard Area of Critical Environmental Concern, Jawbone/butterbredt Area of Critical Environmental Concern, El Paso To Golden Area of Critical Environmental Concern and 6 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 Mohave Ground Squirrel. 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