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