Chapter 11 - ACECs
South Sierra Management Area Case Mountain The Case Mountain ACEC is located near Sequoia National Park, six miles east of Three Rivers, California, and is made up of the BLM public lands around Case Mountain and Milk Ranch Peak. The Case Mountain ACEC encompasses 18,530 acres of public land. There is currently no public vehicular access to either area. Giant Sequoias grow in three separate groves located on public lands at Case Mountain. Approximately 79 sequoias range from 80" diameter at breast height (DBH) upwards to 192" diameter DBH. These groves have never been logged and are currently in excellent condition. Periodic fires have kept the mixed conifer component of the groves at levels where fire can be only considered as a moderate hazard to the sequoias. Logging of several other sequoia groves occurred on the private inholdings during the 1950's. The mixed conifer stands are generally healthy and consist of incense cedar, Jeffrey pine, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, white fir and California nutmeg. Southern spotted owls and pileated woodpeckers have been observed in the mixed conifer and sequoia groves. Large portions of Case Mountain have no roads and the habitat is in excellent condition for the habitation of these two bird species. Two plant species, Kaweah brodiaea (State listed) and Sequoia gooseberry, are found growing in the Case Mountain area. Several hundred acres of suitable habitat exist for both of these plants. The Case Mountain ACEC is entirely underlain by granitic rocks. There are no known mines within the area, however there are prospects for uranium, feldspar and tungsten. The potential for economic development of these minerals is considered low. There are no oil and gas leases on these parcels. Livestock do graze the area from the lower end of Salt Creek to the higher elevations of Case Mountain. Recreational use is currently minimal, due to limited access. The Case Mountain area meets the relevance and importance criteria, and therefore consideration as an ACEC is warranted. Objective Manage the Case Mountain ACEC to protect the Sequoia groves and other sensitive plant communities which occur within the area and for limited recreational use of the area. Page 130 Management Prescriptions This ACEC is open for the leasing of oil and gas resources subject to the LSU - Raptor stipulation. This ACEC is closed to the leasing of geothermal resources. Lands within Sequoia groves, approximately 250 acres, shall be withdrawn from the mining laws. The two access routes, Salt Creek Road and Oak Grove Road off Mineral King, are open to mountain biking but closed to other public vehicular travel until a management plan is written for the area. Off road public access is limited to pedestrians and equestrians only. Travel within the sequoia groves is limited to pedestrians. The ACEC is available for livestock grazing and is currently allotted. Grazing operations shall be adjusted or terminated within the sequoia community if studies show they have a negative effect upon the plant community. Support Actions Studies shall target trend and condition of the sequoias, inventory of spotted owls and pileated woodpeckers, trend and condition of California nutmeg trees, Brodiaea insignis, Ribes tularensis, riparian areas, and cultural resources. Studies shall be initiated to ascertain the effects of livestock grazing upon the sequoia community. A grazing exclosure shall be constructed as a part of this study. The Salt Creek Road shall be maintained. Management of the sequoias and old growth forest may include prescribed burning and thinning of brush. These actions would only be undertaken if they are necessary for the protection of these trees. Legal Description T. 17S., R.29E., MDB&M
Sec. 1 Lots 1-4, S½N½, S½NW¼
Sec. 2
Sec. 3
Sec. 4 SE¼SE¼
Sec. 8 SE¼SE¼
Sec. 9 S½SW¼, SE¼
Sec. 10
Sec. 11
Sec. 12 S½NE¼, NW¼, S½
Sec. 13 NW¼NE¼, NE¼ NW¼, SE¼SW¼
Sec. 15 SW¼, W½SE¼, SE¼SE¼
Sec.16 NE¼, SE¼NW¼, S½SE¼NE¼, S½
Sec. 20 NE¼
Sec. 22 Lots 1-12, W½NE¼, NW¼, N½SW¼, NW¼SE¼
Sec. 24 W½, S½SE¼
Sec. 25 Lots 1-7, N½
Sec. 26 Lots 1-4, NW¼
Sec. 27 NE¼, W½NW¼, SE¼NW¼, S½
Sec. 28
Sec. 33
Sec. 34 Lots 1-4, NW¼NE¼, NW¼
Sec. 35 Lots 1-6, SE¼
Sec. 36 Lots 1-7
Sec. 37 Lots 1-8, S½NE¼, SE¼
Sec. 38 Lots 1-4, SE¼
Sec. 39
Sec. 40
Sec. 41
Sec. 42
Sec. 43
Sec. 45
Sec. 46 T. 18S., R.29E., MDB&M
Sec. 1
Sec. 2 E½
Sec. 10 E½SW¼, W½SE¼
Sec. 11 NE¼, NE¼SE¼
Sec. 12 N½, SE¼
Sec. 13 NE¼
Sec. 22 S½
Sec. 23 SW¼NE¼, SW¼SW¼
Sec. 25
Sec. 26 W½NE¼, N½NW¼, NW¼SE¼
Sec. 27 NE¼NE¼
Area Map Page 132 Return to Chapter 11- Area of Critical Concern Return to Table of Contents | 
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