Sears Point ACEC: SEZ Regional Mitigation Site

Thomas JonesAsst. Field ManagerBureau of Land ManagementYuma Field OfficeNovember 14, 2014

Site Location

Site Description

The Sears Point ACEC is located approximately 5 miles from the SEZ and encompasses 28,500 acres. The ACEC also contains a 3,700-acre core area that includes a high concentration of petroglyphs which are within an NRHP-listed archaeological district.

Site Description

The Sears Point ACEC also includes a large concentration of geoglyphs , trails, and surficial features that date back several thousand years.

Site Description The Sears Point ACEC was designated as such

because of the archaeological district as well as the prominent basalt mesas, historic trail corridors and important riparian vegetation including a mesquite bosque and the Fred J. Weiler Greenbelt.

Site Description

The Fred J. Weiler Vegetation Habitat Management Area surrounds and overlaps approximately 12,400 acres of the Sears Point ACEC.

Possible Mitigation for Sears Point ACEC

Construct recreational facilities including a visitor host site. Install interpretive panels at the central mesas and at main points of interest

within the ACEC. Establish a parking area and install barriers as needed to control access and

prevent damage to cultural and natural resources. Pursue the withdrawal of an additional 4,900 acres of Federal land within

the ACEC. Develop a Sears Point ACEC plan. If needed, designate and construct a campground within the ACEC

expansion area. Inventory and monitor mesquite trees along the Gila River within the ACEC

to determine age, structure, and health. Seek to acquire non-Federal lands and interests within or adjacent to lands

within the ACEC

Possible Mitigation for Fred J. Weiler Greenbelt

• Treat non-native invasive species • Install fire breaks and complete hazardous fuel

reduction activities to protect mesquite bosques and native woodlands.

• Inventory and map the focal plant communities • Monitor ground disturbing activities by OHV use and

other sources of disturbance or habitat alterations to assess the conditions and trends of plant-species populations

• Develop a management plan in coordination with AGFD and USFWS

• Identify additional plant populations which meet VHA criteria.

Other Options?

Other Options