ACECs are defined as “areas within the public lands where special management attention is required (when such areas are developed or used or where no development is required) to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources or other natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards.”  An ACEC’s management is determined at the time of its designation and serves to protect the relevant and important (R&I) values. ACECs are also protected by the provisions of 43 CFR 3809.1-4(b)(3), which require an approved plan of operations for activities under the mining laws except for casual use.

There is one existing ACEC in the Kanab Field Office -- the 220-acre Water Canyon/South Fork Indian Canyon ACEC, located in the southwest corner of the public land mass managed by the field office. While the ACEC is considered a single ACEC it is divided into two separate portions. The 50-acre South Fork Indian Canyon is the northern portion of the ACEC, while the 170-acre Water Canyon is the southern portion. Established in 1986, the R&I values for which the ACEC was designated include relict desert riparian vegetation, wildlife and scenic values.