Areas of Critical Environmental Concern

What is an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC)?

An ACEC is a designation that highlights areas where special management attention is needed to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural and scenic values; fish, wildlife resources or other natural systems or processes; or to protect human life and safety from natural hazards. BLM establishes special management measures for these areas through land use planning. The designation is a record of significant values that must be accommodated when BLM considers future management actions and land use proposals.