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To view the program overview click the following link: MCAS Yuma Natural Resources Program Overview
The MCAS Yuma Range Management Department (RMD) is proud to announce that Conservation Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) Lauren Allmon has been awarded MCAS Yuma Civilian Employee of the Year! If you see Officer Allmon in the field, be sure to congratulate her!
Physical Address 2332 O'Neill St Bldg #151
The BMGR West encompasses approximately 700,000 acres. Range activities within the BMGR West are managed by the Range Management Department (RMD) at MCAS Yuma, and cultural resources stewardship is managed through the MCAS Yuma Cultural Resources Management Program.
There are three overarching cultural resources management goals: (1) support military operations through proactive management of cultural resources; (2) fulfill legal obligations for the protection of historic properties; and (3) address Native American concerns, including disposition of cultural items.
United States Customs and Border Protection on the BMGR-W The southern boundary of the westernmost portion of the BMGR West includes approximately 37 miles of the international border between the United States and Mexico. Activities involving the smuggling of people, drugs, or other contraband occur on the BMGR West. Two CBP jurisdictional sectors, the Tucson and Yuma sectors, are responsible for the entire Arizona-Mexico border, with the latter covering the BMGR West through the Wellton and Yuma stations.
MCAS Yuma has had a series of discussions and formal meetings between the MCAS Yuma CO and the CBP Yuma Sector Chief and between the MCAS Yuma Conservation staff and CBP Yuma Sector Public Lands Liaison. MCAS Yuma has also entered into an MOU regarding CBP’s action on the range to prevent or minimize the impact to cultural and natural resources.
(Extracted From: BGRW ICRMP Part III, 2019)
Archaeological investigations have taken place on the CMAGR since the early twentieth century. Approximately 77,804 acres have been subject to archaeological survey, which is seventeen percent of the total 460,000-acre area of the CMAGR. Presently, all cultural resources documented on the CMAGR are archaeological. The Chocolate Mountain Archaeological District was established in the southern area of the CMAGR in 1973. Many of these cultural resources are prehistoric in origin, but examples of historical-period archeological sites are also common.
Native American cultural resources include: • Cremations/Human Remains • Trails • Lithic Scatters and Flaking Stations • Ceramic Scatters and Pot Drops • Cleared Circles • Rock Rings • Prehistoric Cairns • Habitation Sites • Petroglyphs (Rock Art) • Ground Figures – Geoglyphs, Intaglios, and Rock Alignments
Historical cultural resources present on the CMAGR include: • Transportation Routes • Camps • Military (WWII) • Military (Post -WWII) • Water Works • Mining Prospects • Mines • Cairns • Rock Features • Ranching Complexes
(Extracted From: CMAGR ICRMP, 2021)
BMGR ICRMP Part 1 - 2009 (5.2 MB) BMGRW ICRMP Part III - 2019 (18.2 MB)
CMAGR ICRMP Vol 1 - 2021 (7.9 MB) CMAGR ICRMP Vol 2 - 2021 (34.1 MB)
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma is the busiest air station currently utilized by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and serves as a base of operations for Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1, which trains aircrews and support personnel in advanced aviation warfighting techniques.
With management responsibility for both the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range (CMAGR) and the Barry M. Goldwater Range–West (BMGR-W), MCAS Yuma is presented with the unique challenge of managing natural resources on more than 1.1 million acres of land—the most of all USMC installations. The foundation for meeting this challenge begins with each range’s Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), a long-term strategic plan required by the Sikes Act Improvement Act of 1997. Implementation of INRMPs not only protects the long-term sustainability of natural resources occurring on CMAGR and BMGR-W, but also serves to support the military’s combat readiness mission by ensuring continued access to realistic training conditions. Additionally, MCAS Yuma Natural Resource staff provide regulatory guidance and oversight for biological resources relating to all activities conducted on lands within the installation’s management authority.
The DoD has modified its land management focus over the past two decades from the protection of individual species to ecosystem management. The two principal reasons for these changes are (1) the Sikes Act emphasis on promoting effective wildlife and habitat protection, conservation, and management; and (2) the concern that a disproportionate amount of attention in the past has been placed on managing the needs of individual, high-profile species in possible conflict with underlying ecosystem functions. Ecosystem management incorporates the concepts of biological diversity and ecological integrity in a process that considers the environment as a complex system functioning as a whole, not as a collection of parts. In its application, a goal-driven approach is used to manage natural and cultural resources in a manner that supports present and future mission requirements; preserves ecosystem integrity; is at a scale compatible with natural processes; is cognizant of nature’s timeframes; recognizes social and economic viability within functioning ecosystems; is adaptable to complex and changing requirements; and is realized through effective partnerships among private, local, state, tribal, and federal interests.
Pursuant to the Public Law 118-31 and the Sikes Act, MCAS Yuma collaborates closely with two partnership forums: the BMGR Executive Council (BEC) and the Intergovernmental Executive Committee (IEC). The BEC includes representatives from all neighboring federal and state land management agencies and is focused on leveraging the collective knowledge of the group to develop solutions to localized issues that may affect military training on the BMGR. In conjunction with the BEC, the IEC engages the public and special interest groups to exchange views, address concerns, disseminate information, and generate discussions relating to the management of natural and cultural resources throughout the region. Through the BEC and IEC, collaborative resolutions to potential natural and cultural resources issues and other land management issues can be achieved before negatively impacting the military mission at the BMGR. MCAS Yuma encourages any member of the public and/or special interest group to participate in the IEC.
BEC Charter BEC Memorandum of Understanding IEC Memorandum of Understanding
Meetings are held on a quarterly basis and are rotated between Yuma, Ajo, Tucson, and Phoenix to facilitate increased interest and engagement within these communities. Please see below for details regarding the next IEC meeting, as well as, minutes from previous meetings:
May 10, 2023 Agenda
May 10, 2023 Minutes
September 13, 2023 Agenda
September 13, 2023 Minutes
January 10, 2024 Agenda
January 10, 2024 Minutes
May 8, 2024 Agenda
May 8, 2024 Minutes
September 11, 2024 Agenda
BEC-IEC Minutes 11 Sep 2024
BEC-IEC Agenda, 8 Jan 2025
BEC-IEC Minutes, 8 Jan 2025
BEC-IEC Agenda, 14 May 2025
BEC-IEC Minutes, 14 May 2025
BEC-IEC Agenda, 10 Sept 2025Public Engagement Opportunities
Integrated Wildland Fire Management Plan - BMGR-W
Integrated Wildland Fire Management Plan - CMAGR
2023 BMGR Public Report
2023 BMGR INRMP
Congressional Notification BMGR INRMP
2023 CMAGR INRMP
2022 CMAGR Small Mammal, Reptile, and Amphibian Report
2003 Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard Rangewide Managment Strategy
2011 USFWS Mojave Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan
2015 Candidate Conservation Agreement Sonoran Desert Tortoise
2016 Sonoran Pronghorn Recovery Plan
2021 Bird/Animal Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Reduction Plan
FTHL MOG Charter - 2022 Revision
DT MOG Charter - 2020
Vegetation Mapping of the BMGRW Final Report
Vegetation Mapping of the CMAGR Final Report
BMGR-W Invasive Weeds Brochure
BMGR-W Small Mammal, Reptile, Amphibian Brochure
Stinknet-Flyer_V2-1 (The presence of external link does not constitute endorsement by the Marine Corps or Marine Corps Air Station Yuma)
The primary responsibility of the Conservation Law Enforcement Officers of the Barry M. Goldwater Range - West is to enforce all applicable state and federal laws pertaining to natural and cultural resources. Our Officers are dedicated to conserving the desert landscape and providing opportunities for visitors to learn more about the Sonoran Desert and the Marine Corps mission.
Visitors should be aware that each person entering the range must have a current range permit. All vehicles and operators will continue to be required to comply with general vehicle operating rules, including being licensed for highway driving under Arizona laws and regulations. All Off-highway vehicles are required to have an Arizona State OHV Decal. Vehicle travel is limited to designated roads. Vehicles are allowed to pull off up to 50 feet from the center line of any open road. Self-contained camping (non-vehicle based) is allowed in all open areas to the public. Vehicle based camping is limited to 14 consecutive days with a 28-day period except by special permit. Designated RV camping can be found at the entrance of the A road and require a special use permit in all other areas.
Avenza Brochure - How To Use The App
Off-Highway Vehicle Decal Brochure
While exploring the BMGR-W, you may discover abandoned mines or other areas of interest and wonder the story behind them. The Conservation Law Enforcement team (CLEO’s) offers tours, based on time and availability, to help you explore all the BMGR-W has to offer.
- Tour Opportunities
- Tour Interest Form
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Hunting can be conducted on the BMGR-W in accordance with Arizona state hunting and fishing laws. MCAS Yuma offers dove hunting to active-duty service members, dependents, retirees, and authorized members of the Department of Defense in the groves nearest to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma. Dove hunting coincides with the Arizona state-wide hunting seasons, and requires a permit issued through RecAccess. More information about the dove hunting program can be found on RecAccess, see link below.
- RecAccess - Dove Hunting Information
The Conservation Law Enforcement office is located within the Range Management Department Building # 151 on O’Neill St, MCAS Yuma, AZ.
Conservation Law Enforcement Supervisor: (928) 269-3385
Conservation Officers: (928) 269-6097/3388/3389
Email: MCASYUMA_CLEO@usmc.mil
CLICK HERE TO BE REDIRECTED TO THE PERMITTING WEBSITE
The Barry M. Goldwater Range is the third largest land-based military range in the United States. Since its establishment in 1941, the BMGR has served as a tactical air combat training complex of vital importance to national security. The land area of the BMGR covers approximately 1.7 million acres in southwestern Arizona and is operated as two independent segments: Marine Corps Air Station Yuma manages the western portion (BMGR-W) and Luke Air Force Base manages the eastern portion (BMGR-E). The BMGR complex also includes about 2.7 million acres, or 57,000 cubic miles, of restricted airspace. The BMGR is a large component of one of the largest and best-preserved desert landscapes in the U.S. Portions of the BMGR are open for public recreation, but only under a permit system with regulations necessary to ensure public safety, prevent interference with military training, and to protect natural and cultural resources. Approximately 75 percent of the BMGR-W is open to the public. Activities include camping, hiking, hunting, target shooting, and off-highway vehicle use on designated roads and trails. Marine Corps Air Station Yuma annually issues over 12,000 public recreation permits.
Range access permits are available online at https://bmgr.recaccess.com. All visitors are required to sign a hold-harmless form and watch a range safety video. Two permits are required: one to always keep in personal possession while on the range and the other displayed on the vehicle’s dash. Prior to entering the range, recreational users must check-in using RecAccess. Individuals under the age of 18 must be always accompanied by an adult. Any person entering the range without a valid permit may be fined and/or barred from BMGR.
While recreating on the BMGR-W you are responsible for your own safety, for avoiding military assets and training units, for abiding by the BMGR-W regulations, and for doing your part to help protect natural and cultural resources. Always know your location and keep out of unauthorized areas. Ensure others are aware of your itinerary before you enter the BMGR-W. Failure to properly plan your visit and comply with the BMGR-W regulations could lead to fines, imprisonment, or the revocation of future access to the BMGR-W, and potentially result in serious personal injury or death.
Range Permit Office 928-269-3115
Click on the following links and click save:
BMGR-W Range Guide and Map
A Visitor’s Guide to the El Camino del Diablo
USMC MCO 11000.25a, Installation Geospatial Information and Services Program (USMC 2013a), also referred to as USMC Installation Geospatial Information and Services (GEOFidelis), provides the policy, guidance, and standards for acquiring, protecting, and utilizing geospatial data and GIS data management in support of USMC installations. Geospatial data are maintained and managed by the MCAS Yuma RMD within the USMC GEOFidelis System. The GEOFidelis program goal is to ensure that USMC installation geospatial data are complete, accurate, current, and available as a USMC-wide resource. The Installation adheres to the Spatial Data Standards for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment, as required by the DoD, to ensure GIS standards are used for table structure, metadata, and data storage among all DoD installations.
More on the GEOFidelis Program can be found here and more on SDSFIE here. (links open in new window)
Figure 1: Heat Map showing densities for Mojave Desert Tortoise surveys on the CMAGR
Figure 2: Vegetation associations across the entirety of the BMGRW
Figure 3: Locations of the Remote Access Weather Stations (RAWS) across the BMGRW
Figure 4: Overview Map