Nevada · Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Ash Meadows
BLM found a natural system, a natural process and a fish resource here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 43 active mining claims and 5 rights of way inside the line today. It covers 37,280 acres and was designated November 6, 2002, in the Las Vegas RMP. In the plan's name, RMP stands 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 43 claims sit inside this line: 43 active, 43 with a holder BLM names. BLM lists 43 as Active.
- ST CLOUD MINING CO40claims
- LHOIST NORTH AMERICA OF ARIZONA INC3claims
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
5 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 4 under non-energy facilities and 1 under other energy facilities.
- Holder not listed by BLM3rights of way
- CAPPAERT ENTERPRISES1right of way
- VALLEY ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION1right of way
The nearest areas
- Amargosa MesquiteNevada · 6,784 acres · at least 10 active mining claims7miles
- Amargosa NorthCalifornia · 124,317 acres · at least 65 active mining claims, 10 rights of way13miles
- Big DuneNevada · 1,900 acres · nothing placed inside21miles
- Stump SpringNevada · 647 acres · nothing placed inside42miles
- 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 it43miles
Next to it
Amargosa North Area of Critical Environmental Concern touches the line.
More from BLM's Nevada office
Every area BLM's Nevada 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 Ash Meadows. 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