The purpose of the Long Mountain Area Plan is to recognize the unique character of the Long Mountain Area and to encourage land use patterns that are consistent with the goals of the Mohave County General Plan. The Long Mountain Area Plan, a component of the General Plan, covers approximately 61 square miles of unincorporated land in Mohave County.

In 1995, Mohave County adopted the “Mohave County General Plan” which included a countywide land use design. Included were several surrounding small communities. These communities subsequently created their own more specific area plans which were then included in the Mohave County General Plan. However, Dolan Springs was identified as an “outlying community” which would not be included. Dolan Springs then created their own area plan.

The Santa Rita Ranches operate in cooperation with the Santa Rita Experimental Range located to the west of the Santa Rita Mountains, in the upper Santa Cruz Valley. It was established in 1903 and is recognized as a principal site for research on the improvement and management of semiarid grasslands in the Southwest.