NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-AZ-G020-2002-0001-RMP-EIS
Project Name: Ironwood Forest National Monument Resource Management Plan

Project Information 

  • NEPA Number
    DOI-BLM-AZ-G020-2002-0001-RMP-EIS
  • Project Name
    Ironwood Forest National Monument Resource Management Plan
  • Project Type
    RMP - EIS
  • NEPA Status
  • Lead Office
    Tucson Field Office
  • Last Updated
    2/2/2026 5:00:00 PM


Project Description

What's New

The planning effort is complete. The Record of Decision for the Ironwood Forest National Monument Resource Management Plan was signed February 19, 2013.

Documents related to the Ironwood Forest National Monument Travel Management Plan (TMP) Project Plan Environmental Assessment can be found here.
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The Ironwood Forest National Monument (IFNM) was established on June 9, 2000, with the signing of Presidential Proclamation 7320 (Proclamation) to protect objects of scientific interest, including geological, biological, and archaeological resources. The IFNM encompasses approximately 189,600 acres of land. The decisions in the Approved RMP apply to approximately 128,400 acres within the Monument boundaries which is public land administered by the BLM; the balance of the land consists of approximately 54,700 acres of State Trust land (administered by the Arizona State Land Department [ASLD]) and approximately 6,000 acres that are privately owned.

The IFNM lies in the Sonoran Desert ecosystem of southern Arizona and is a unique scenic area of rolling desert and ironwood woodlands including the Silver Bell, Waterman, Roskruge, and Sawtooth Mountains. Much of the vegetation in this area is classic Sonoran Desert upland habitat, dominated bysaguaro, Bigelow’s cholla, and staghorn cholla cacti. Other common vegetation includes ironwood and paloverde trees, creosotebush, brittlebush, triangle-leaf bursage, ocotillo, and white thorn acacia. Jojoba dominates the chaparral community on the upper slopes of the Silver Bell Mountains. The lower bajadas contain interbraided streambeds that carry water after heavy rains. These desert wash habitats are characterized by large ironwood, blue paloverde, and mesquite trees.

The IFNM encompasses mountain ranges that are important to the diverse wildlife and plant communities associated with the ironwood/saguaro forest. In addition, the IFNM contains habitats for several endangered species and species of concern (e.g., desert tortoise), an area of critical environmental concern (ACEC) to protect an endangered cactus, and a desert bighorn sheep special management area. IFNM also includes a site and two archaeological districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places (National Register), and historical mining camps and other cultural resources that are eligible for listing on the National Register.

The IFNM is located in Pinal and Pima Counties, Arizona, approximately 80 miles south of Phoenix and 25 miles northwest of Tucson, Arizona. The IFNM is bordered by the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation on the west and unincorporated county land otherwise. The closest population center is the Town of Marana to the east.
Contact Information
Claire Crow
Assistant Field Manager
Tucson Field Office
3201 East Universal Way
Tucson, AZ 85756
520-258-7233
520-258-7200

Draft EIS Publication

  • Initial Scheduled Date
    —
  • Revised Target Date
    —
  • Actual Date
    3/1/2007


Final EIS Publication

  • Initial Scheduled Date
    —
  • Revised Target Date
    —
  • Actual Date
    9/28/2011


Project Location

City State/Territory Zip Code County(ies)
Marana Arizona 85653 Pima

Application Information

Project Dates

  • Start Date
    4/24/2002
  • End Date
    2/17/2013
  • FONSI Date
    —


Notice of Intent Publication

  • Initial Scheduled Date
    4/24/2002
  • Revised Target Date
    4/24/2002
  • Actual Date
    4/24/2002


Record of Decision Publication

  • Initial Scheduled Date
    —
  • Revised Target Date
    —
  • Actual Date
    2/17/2013


Project Office Information

  • Lead Office
    Tucson Field Office
  • Offices
    Tucson FO
  • Cooperating Agencies
    —


Contacts