Nevada · Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Highland Range
BLM found a natural system and a wildlife resource here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 16 active mining claims and 17 rights of way inside the line today, and three grazing allotments cover part of it. It covers 6,882 acres and was designated August 20, 2008, in the Ely 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 16 claims sit inside this line: 16 active, 16 with a holder BLM names. BLM lists 16 as Active.
- STAMPEDE METALS CORPORATION14claims
- AMADOR MINING LLC2claims
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
17 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 17 under non-energy facilities.
- NV STATE DIV OF LANDS3rights of way
- LINCOLN COUNTY TELEPHONE SYSTEMS INC2rights of way
- SBA TOWERS VI LLC1right of way
- LAS VEGAS REPEATER1right of way
- NV PUBLIC RADIO CORP1right of way
- FAITH COMMUNICATIONS1right of way
- NELLIS AFB1right of way
- LINCOLN COUNTY ROAD DEPARTMENT1right of way
- LINCOLN COUNTY (Nevada) - POWER DISTRICT #11right of way
- LINCOLN CNTY SCHOOL1right of way
- NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS LLC1right of way
- ELY DISTRICT OFFICE1right of way
- GREAT BASIN TRANSMISSION SOUTH1right of way
- DOE1right of way
Grazing allotments
3 grazing allotments cover part of this line. Their permittees aren't named here yet.
- ELY SPRING81,445acres
- HIGHLAND PEAK51,618acres
- PIOCHE13,704acres
The nearest areas
- Schlesser PincushionNevada · 4,925 acres · 3 grazing allotments covering part of it8miles
- Condor CanyonNevada · 4,505 acres · 4 grazing allotments covering part of it13miles
- Pahroc Rock ArtNevada · 2,417 acres · 1 right of way, a grazing allotment covering part of it28miles
- Lower Meadow Valley WashNevada · 24,916 acres · at least 11 active mining claims, 15 rights of way, 16 grazing allotments covering part of it45miles
- Upper Beaver Dam WashUtah · 33,108 acres · at least 16 active mining claims and 18 more BLM lists as Filed, 2 rights of way, 9 grazing allotments covering part of it46miles
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 Highland Range. 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