Areas of Critical Environmental Concern

Areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs) are “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” (FLPMA Section 103(a)). The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) at Section 202(c)(3) establishes the authority for the BLM to “give priority to the designation and protection” of ACECs. ACECs are considered and designated through land use planning using the best available information and public involvement. 

Across all ACECs, the BLM works to ensure that these places help meet land management objectives and local needs. The BLM also works to ensure continued public access while identified resources are protected from irreparable damage. 

1. How does land use planning relate to ACECs? 

As a resource management plan is developed, revised, or amended, BLM managers work with local, state, and Tribal governments, the public, and other stakeholders to identify appropriate uses of the public lands to achieve BLM’s multiple-use and sustained-yield mission. People can nominate areas of public lands for consideration to be designated as an ACEC during the planning process. 

2. What activities are allowed in an ACEC? 

The BLM is required to manage each ACEC in a manner that protects against and prevents irreparable damage of the relevant and important values identified during land use planning. The activities allowed or restricted within each ACEC depend on the resources and natural values the area is designated to protect. ACEC designations always recognize valid existing rights, and because their management is especially flexible and site-specific, they can work alongside, or together with, other uses on a landscape. 

Development may continue in an ACEC, but additional information may be needed to ensure that a proposed project or activity will be consistent with special management attention. An ACEC can also provide opportunities for recreation and education, which yield tangible benefits for local communities through recreation and tourism. 

3. How are ACECs nominated? 

Anyone can nominate an ACEC to be considered for designation. The BLM evaluates nominated ACECs during land use planning and reviews internal data and considers the best available science and quality information gathered during extensive public involvement and Tribal consultation. 

4. How are ACECs evaluated? 

Not all areas with wildlife habitat, or cultural, historical or scenic values are designated as ACECs. To be eligible for designation as an ACEC, the area must meet three criteria: relevance, importance, and need for special management attention. If a nominated area meets the criteria, an interdisciplinary planning team develops potential management options and incorporates the proposed ACEC into a draft resource management plan (RMP). Members of the public, Tribes, state and local governments, and other stakeholders have the opportunity to review and comment on proposed ACECs and the associated management options during a 90-day public comment period. 

5. How are ACECs designated? 

After the public comment period closes, the planning team prepares and publishes a proposed RMP. After the proposed RMP is published, people who have participated in the planning process and have an interest which may be adversely affected by a planning decision have 30 days to submit a formal protest. Once the BLM has resolved protests, ACECs are designated by the decision on the approved RMP.