1. Sears Point ACEC: SEZ Regional Mitigation Site Thomas Jones Asst. Field Manager Bureau of Land Management Yuma Field Office November 14, 2014

2. Site Location

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Other Options?

10. Other Options