West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

BLM Areas of Critical Environmental Concern: Thirty ACECs are found within theWest Mojave planning area. Table 3-31 lists each ACEC, its size, focal protected resource, itslocation relative to the 2002 Tortoise Range Map, and the relative protection it provides [adoptedfrom Current Management Situation (BLM 1999)].ACECAfton CanyonSIZEACRESTable 3-31Tortoise Conservation Provided by ACECsFOCUS OFCOMMITMENT8,160 Riparian habitat,raptors, bighorn, scenicvalues.SPATIAL LOCATIONRELATIVE TO 2002TORTOISE RANGEFully within range, butfocal area is canyon ratherthan surrounding bajadasRELATIVEPROTECTIONAFFORDED BYEXISTING ACECMANAGEMENTHigh. Routes aredesignated and mineralwithdrawals are in place.Cattle grazing remainsoutside riparian zone.Amboy Crater 679 Geologic landmark Marginal tortoise habitatwith little direct protectionBarstow WoollySunflower314 Botanical resources,Barstow woollysunflower in particularFully within rangeExcellent protection fromhuman impacts byperimeter fenceBedrock Springs 785 Prehistoric values Tortoises and habitatsubject to OHV impactsfrom adjacent SpanglerHills Open AreaBig MorongoCanyon28,274 Riparian habitat. South of range N/A, outside known rangeCronese BasinDesert TortoiseResearch NaturalArea10,226 Marsh, riparian, andlacustrine habitats.25,695 Desert animals andplants, Desert Tortoisein particular.Fully within rangeFully within the 2002Tortoise RangeHigh. Routes aredesignatedExcellent protection fromhuman impacts byperimeter fenceFossil Falls 1,667 Prehistoric values Within the northern portionof the range where tortoisesare relatively less commonGreat Falls Basin9,726 Riparian habitat, InyoCalifornia towheeEastern and southernportions of ACEC barelywithin rangeHarper Dry Lake 475 Marsh habitat Within range; 363 of 480acres (76%) is non-habitaton the dry lake bedJawbone/Butterbredt 187,486Riparian and wildlifevalues.At the western edge ofrangeMostly north and west ofthe range.Does not protect tortoisehabitat.Little protection, and 80%of the ACEC is outside therangeJuniper Flats 2,528 Cultural values South of range N/A, outside known rangeLast ChanceCanyon5,913 Prehistoric and historicvaluesNot well protected fromvehicle disturbanceChapter 3 3-142