As defined and authorized in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) is an area within the public lands where special management attention 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.


ACECs are designated during regular resource management planning processes. Currently, the Salt Lake Field Office manages 7 ACECs: