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New Mexico · Area of Critical Environmental Concern

Lower Gorge

BLM found a natural system, a wildlife resource, a cultural value, a scenic value, a natural process and a fish resource here, and its plan calls for special management. BLM's records place at least 1 active mining claim and 31 rights of way inside the line today, and 14 grazing allotments cover part of it. It covers 24,675 acres and was designated May 24, 2012, in the Taos RMP. In the plan's name, RMP stands for resource management plan.

Acres24,675
DesignatedMay 24, 2012Taos RMP
BLM founda natural system, a wildlife resource, a cultural value, a scenic value, a natural process and a fish resourceand found it important
Inside, at least46claims, rights of way and allotments

The line

Lower Gorge
Claimant withheld by BLM, 1Right of way, 31
Ground: USGS The National Map, topographic tiles. Boundaries: BLM's own, read Oct 20, 2026. 31 marks are where BLM's own maps draw them; 1 claim is placed at the middle of the quarter section its land description names, not at the stakes on the ground. Hover or tap one for its holder. The 14 grazing allotments below aren't marked.

Who holds the claims

At least 1 claim sits inside this line: 1 active, 1 with a claimant BLM withholds under the Privacy Act. BLM lists 1 as Active.

  • Names withheld by BLM (private individuals)1claim

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

31 rights of way sit inside the line. BLM files 25 under non-energy facilities, 3 under other energy facilities, 2 under fiber optic facilities and 1 under water.

  • NM ST HWY DEPT7rights of way
  • FHWA3rights of way
  • Holder not listed by BLM2rights of way
  • LA CANOVA DITCH COMM2rights of way
  • SAC WIRELESS LLC1right of way

Grazing allotments

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

  • Allotment USFS-GRZ-10071.01042440,473acres
  • Allotment USFS-GRZ-10068.01042420,048acres
  • Copper Hill - Closed (LUP)13,927acres
  • Dixon Arriba - Closed (LUP)9,016acres
  • Mesa Prieta7,017acres

The nearest areas

Next to it

Ojo Caliente Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Copper Hill Area of Critical Environmental Concern touch the line.

More from BLM's New Mexico office

Every area BLM's New Mexico 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 Lower Gorge. 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