California · Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Symmes Creek WSA
BLM found a natural system, a wildlife resource, a scenic value, a natural process and a historic value here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 3 mining claims BLM lists as Filed and 1 right of way inside the line today, and two grazing allotments cover part of it. It covers 8,372 acres and was designated September 14, 2016, in the Bishop RMP, as amended by DRECP. In the plan's name, DRECP stands for Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan and RMP for resource management 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 3 claims sit inside this line: 0 active and 3 filed and pending, 3 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 3 as Filed.
- Names withheld by BLM (private individuals)3claims
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
1 right of way sits inside the line. BLM files 1 under non-energy facilities.
- LOS ANGELES DEPT WATER & POWER REAL ESTATE SECT1right of way
Grazing allotments
2 grazing allotments cover part of this line. Their permittees aren't named here yet.
- Allotment USFS-GRZ-10556.01031880,201acres
- Alabama Hills78,011acres
The nearest areas
- ManzanarCalifornia · 573 acres · at least 2 mining claims BLM lists as Filed, 1 right of way, 2 grazing allotments covering part of it2miles
- Independence Creek WSACalifornia · 6,480 acres · at least 1 mining claim BLM lists as Filed, 4 grazing allotments covering part of it5miles
- Southern Inyo WSACalifornia · 2,808 acres · nothing placed inside12miles
- Keynot PeakCalifornia · 2,164 acres · nothing placed inside14miles
- Saline ValleyCalifornia · 1,390 acres · nothing placed inside21miles
Next to it
Manzanar 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 Symmes Creek WSA. 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