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California · Area of Critical Environmental Concern

Panamints and Argus

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 17 active mining claims (and 43 more BLM lists as Filed or Submitted) and 21 rights of way inside the line today. It covers 104,523 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.

Acres104,523
DesignatedSep 14, 2016CDCA Plan, as amended by DRECP
BLM founda natural system, a wildlife resource, a cultural value, a natural process and a historic valueand found it important
Inside, at least38claims and rights of way, and 43 more claims BLM lists as Filed or Submitted

The line

Panamints and Argus
Mining claim, 12Claimant withheld by BLM, 5Filed, 5Submitted, 1Filed, claimant withheld, 37Right of way, 21
Ground: USGS The National Map, topographic tiles. Boundaries: BLM's own, read Oct 20, 2026. 24 marks are where BLM's own maps draw them; 57 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 60 claims sit inside this line: 17 active and 43 filed and pending, 18 with a holder BLM names and 42 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 42 as Filed, 17 as Active and 1 as Submitted.

  • Names withheld by BLM (private individuals)42claims
  • BUSH MANAGEMENT CO12claims
  • RASCAL LITHIUM LLC6claims

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

21 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 14 under non-energy facilities, 5 under other energy facilities and 2 under none.

  • SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON CO4rights of way
  • SEARLES VALLEY MINERAL OPS INC3rights of way
  • Holder not listed by BLM2rights of way
  • FAA USDT2rights of way
  • BUSH MANAGEMENT CO INC2rights of way

The nearest areas

Next to it

Mohave Ground Squirrel Area of Critical Environmental Concern, Great Falls Basin Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Panamint Lake Area of Critical Environmental Concern 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 Panamints and Argus. 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