e8be7a99-29f2-421e-95ec-190919c58f9b

##
This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System.
























 
https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- Wilderness: ❌ Crater Lake Wilderness absolute motorized ban

## Geographic Boundaries
Crater Lake National Park is located in Klamath County, Oregon.
- Total area: ~183,224 acres
- Coordinates: 42.9446° N, 122.1090° W
- Includes Crater Lake (deepest lake in U.S. — 1,943 ft),
  Wizard Island, Rim Drive, and Pinnacles
- Nearest city: Klamath Falls, OR (~57 miles south)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — absolute motorized ban
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations
- Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over park

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- Wilderness Act: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months imprisonment
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- Scientific research with NPS-approved research permit
Submit requests to: Crater Lake NP Superintendent,
Rim Village, Crater Lake, OR 97604

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ Absolutely prohibited — Hualapai Tribe
  sovereign authority primary
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Hualapai Tribe authorization
  required; commercial operations at Grand Canyon West
  subject to tribal commercial licensing requirements
- Airport Layer: ⚠️ Hualapai Airport (HII) near Grand Canyon
  West — verify airspace classification before operations
- Security Layer: ⚠️ Grand Canyon Skywalk — active tourist
  facility with tribal security; unauthorized UAS = trespass

## Geographic Boundaries
Hualapai Reservation is located in Mohave, Coconino, and
Yavapai Counties, Arizona, administered by Hualapai Tribe.
- Total area: ~992,463 acres (~1,550 square miles)
- Coordinates: 35.9928° N, 113.8125° W (Peach Springs, capital)
- Nearest city: Kingman, AZ (~50 miles south)
- Terrain: Grand Canyon West (western Grand Canyon rim on
  tribal land); Grand Canyon Skywalk (glass-bottom horseshoe
  walkway extending 70 ft over canyon — 4,000 ft above river);
  Diamond Creek (only road to Colorado River in Grand Canyon);
  Hualapai Mountain Park; Peach Springs
- Grand Canyon West — tribally operated tourist destination;
  ~1 million visitors/year; helicopter tours, rafting, Skywalk
- Hualapai Airport (HII) serves Grand Canyon West helicopter
  tour operations — active air traffic
- Colorado River canyon rim on western reservation — western
  Grand Canyon airspace; Grand Canyon SFRA eastern edge nearby
- Airspace: Class G; HII airport active air traffic; check
  Grand Canyon SFRA eastern boundary proximity

## Regulations
- Hualapai Tribal Code — sovereign authority over all
  reservation lands and airspace
- Hualapai commercial licensing requirements — Grand Canyon
  West commercial operations require tribal business permit
  in addition to any filming or drone authorization
- American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) —
  Colorado River canyon and rim sacred in Hualapai cosmology
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  Hualapai ancestral sites throughout reservation
- 14 CFR § 93.305 — Grand Canyon SFRA eastern boundary
  proximity; verify whether specific coordinates fall within SFRA
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — California
  condor documented foraging over western Grand Canyon rim
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — California
  condor; ESA Section 9 active over western canyon rim
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- Hualapai tribal court: equipment confiscation; fines;
  criminal charges; ban from reservation
- Grand Canyon SFRA violation (if applicable): FAA civil
  penalties up to $27,500/day + certificate action
- ESA Section 9 (condor): civil up to $25,000; criminal
  up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years
- MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months
- Equipment confiscation by tribal security

## Special Permissions
- Hualapai Tribe authorization required; commercial operators
  must also obtain tribal commercial filming permit
- Grand Canyon West area: Hualapai Tourism Department
  authorization required separately from general tribal permit
- SFRA boundary verification required before any rim operation
- ESA Section 7 assessment required for condor foraging zones
Submit requests to: Hualapai Department of Tourism,
PO Box 538, Peach Springs, AZ 86434

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ Absolutely prohibited — Havasupai Tribe
  sovereign authority primary; tribal law explicitly bans drones
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Havasupai Tribe authorization
  required; also NPS permit required for Grand Canyon corridor
- Grand Canyon Layer: ⚠️ Havasu Canyon is within Grand Canyon
  NP boundary; 14 CFR § 93.305 SFRA applies
- Sacred Site Layer: ⚠️ Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and
  canyon springs are sacred in Havasupai cosmology

## Geographic Boundaries
Havasupai Reservation is located in Coconino County, Arizona,
within the Grand Canyon system, administered by Havasupai Tribe.
- Total area: ~188,077 acres (reservation + traditional use area)
- Coordinates: 36.2553° N, 112.6977° W (Supai village)
- Nearest access: Hualapai Hilltop trailhead (~8-mile hike in)
- Terrain: Havasu Canyon (side canyon of Grand Canyon);
  Supai village (only mail delivered by mule in U.S.);
  Havasu Falls (100 ft); Mooney Falls (196 ft); Beaver Falls;
  Fifty Foot Falls; turquoise-colored Havasu Creek
- Havasupai Tribe (~700 members) — "People of the Blue-Green
  Water"; continuous canyon occupation for 800+ years
- Canyon entirely within Grand Canyon NP boundary — dual NPS
  + tribal jurisdiction applies simultaneously
- Grand Canyon SFRA (14 CFR § 93.305) covers canyon airspace
- Havasu Falls — most photographed waterfall in Arizona;
  tribal law explicitly prohibits drone operations
- Access only by foot, horse, or helicopter (8-mile trail)
- Airspace: Grand Canyon SFRA; Class G surface

## Regulations
- Havasupai Tribal Code — sovereign authority; tribal law
  explicitly prohibits all drone operations in canyon
- 14 CFR § 93.305 — Grand Canyon SFRA; all aircraft including
  UAS must comply; canyon is within SFRA boundary
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 — Grand Canyon NP boundary
  encompasses canyon; NPS regulations apply concurrently
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — NPS air delivery/retrieval prohibition
- American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) —
  Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Havasu Creek springs are
  sacred water sources in Havasupai cosmology
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
  (25 U.S.C. § 3001) — ancestral burial sites in canyon
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — peregrine
  falcon nesting on canyon walls; zone-tailed hawk
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- Havasupai tribal court: immediate equipment confiscation;
  fines; criminal charges; permanent ban from reservation
- Grand Canyon SFRA violation: FAA civil penalties up to
  $27,500/day + certificate suspension or revocation
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation (Grand Canyon boundary)
- AIRFA violations: federal civil penalties
- NAGPRA violations: federal criminal prosecution
- MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months
- Equipment confiscation by tribal rangers and NPS rangers

## Special Permissions
- Havasupai Tribe authorization is the primary pathway;
  NPS Grand Canyon permit also required given SFRA boundary
- Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, Beaver Falls: NO permit pathway
  under tribal law; absolute prohibition
- SFRA compliance plan required for any Grand Canyon NP
  corridor operations
Submit requests to: Havasupai Tribe Tourism Office,
PO Box 10, Supai, AZ 86435
Grand Canyon NP: PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ Absolutely prohibited — Navajo Nation
  sovereign authority primary
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Navajo Nation authorization
  required; no standard FAA permit pathway applies
- Sacred Site Layer: ⚠️ Window Rock formation — used in
  Navajo water-blessing and healing ceremonies; AIRFA active
- Government Layer: ⚠️ Navajo Nation capital; tribal
  government buildings and Council Chambers present

## Geographic Boundaries
Window Rock is the capital of the Navajo Nation, located in
Apache County, Arizona, and McKinley County, New Mexico.
- Total area: Window Rock community ~3 square miles within
  ~17.5 million-acre Navajo Nation territory
- Coordinates: 35.6728° N, 109.0567° W
- Nearest city: Gallup, NM (~25 miles east)
- Terrain: Window Rock formation (natural sandstone arch,
  ~200 ft diameter opening); St. Michaels; Navajo Nation
  Council Chambers; Navajo Nation Museum; Navajo Nation Zoo;
  Veterans Memorial Park; tribal government complex
- Window Rock formation — natural sandstone arch used in
  Navajo water-blessing ceremonies and healing rituals;
  active ceremonial site integrated into tribal capital
- Navajo Nation Council — 24-delegate legislative body;
  government security considerations apply
- Straddles AZ-NM state line
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G

## Regulations
- Navajo Nation Tribal Code Title 17 — sovereign authority
  over all Navajo Nation lands and airspace
- American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) —
  Window Rock formation used in active Navajo water-blessing
  and healing ceremonies; drone overflight = AIRFA violation
- Navajo Nation government security — tribal government
  facilities; Navajo Nation Police jurisdiction
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  prehistoric and historic Navajo cultural deposits
- National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) —
  Window Rock formation and district listed on Navajo Nation
  Historic Preservation register
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- Navajo Nation tribal court: immediate equipment confiscation;
  fines; criminal charges; permanent Navajo Nation ban
- AIRFA violations: federal civil penalties; DOJ referral
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Navajo Nation Police active enforcement

## Special Permissions
- Navajo Nation authorization via Navajo Nation Parks and
  Recreation is the only valid permit pathway
- Window Rock formation: NO permit pathway for operations
  within visual range during ceremonial use periods
- Government complex: Navajo Nation Office of the President
  and Vice President security clearance required
Submit requests to: Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation,
https://www.navajonationparks.org/permits/
PO Box 2520, Window Rock, AZ 86515

## Drone Rules - Canyon de Chelly National Monument





























**Drone use is prohibited** in Canyon de Chelly National Monument.





















### Key Rules
- No recreational drone flights within the canyon or on the rim
- Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit and Navajo Nation approval
- The canyon floor is Navajo Nation land where people still live and farm; photography and drones require specific permission







### Source
- Canyon de Chelly NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/cach/planyourvisit/rules.htm

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ NPS Special Use Permit AND Navajo
  Nation Parks authorization — both required
- Tribal Sovereignty: ⚠️ ABSOLUTE — monument is entirely on
  Navajo Nation; inhabited by active Navajo families
- Sacred Site Layer: ⚠️ Spider Rock — home of Spider Woman
  in Navajo cosmology; absolute no-fly zone
- Inhabited Landscape: ⚠️ Active Navajo farmsteads on canyon
  floor; drone overflight of homes = trespass + AIRFA violation

## Geographic Boundaries
Canyon de Chelly National Monument is in Apache County, Arizona,
entirely within Navajo Nation, administered by NPS.
- Total area: ~83,840 acres
- Coordinates: 36.1562° N, 109.4685° W
- Nearest city: Chinle, AZ (monument headquarters)
- Terrain: Canyon de Chelly; Canyon del Muerto; Monument Canyon;
  Spider Rock (800-ft twin sandstone spires — most sacred Navajo
  site in canyon); White House Ruin (~1060–1275 CE cliff dwelling);
  Mummy Cave Ruin; Antelope House; active Navajo farms and
  orchards on canyon floor
- Unique status: only NPS unit where private citizens (Navajo
  families) hold primary residency rights within monument
- Spider Rock: home of Spider Woman (Na'ashjé'ii Asdzáá) in
  Navajo cosmology; absolute sacred site; no permit pathway
- All canyon access requires authorized Navajo guide except
  White House Trail
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval
- Navajo Nation Tribal Code Title 17 — sovereign authority;
  inhabited canyon floor = active Navajo homeland airspace
- American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) —
  Spider Rock and canyon sacred landscape; active Navajo
  ceremonial use throughout canyon system
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
  (25 U.S.C. § 3001) — ancestral Puebloan and Navajo
  burial sites throughout canyon
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  700+ archaeological sites; White House Ruin; Mummy Cave;
  Antelope House; Standing Cow Ruin
- National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) —
  monument listed on National Register of Historic Places
- Privacy — drone overflight of inhabited Navajo family
  homesteads on canyon floor constitutes privacy violation
  under Navajo tribal law
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- Navajo Nation tribal court: equipment confiscation; fines;
  criminal charges; permanent ban from Navajo Nation
- AIRFA violations including Spider Rock overflight:
  federal civil penalties; DOJ referral possible
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- NAGPRA violations: federal criminal prosecution
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers and Navajo Police

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit + Navajo Nation Parks authorization
  both required simultaneously
- Spider Rock: NO permit pathway; absolute prohibition
- Canyon floor homestead overflights: prohibited under any
  circumstances regardless of permit
- All commercial operations must be accompanied by authorized
  Navajo guide
Submit requests to: Canyon de Chelly NM Superintendent,
PO Box 588, Chinle, AZ 86503
Navajo Nation Parks: https://www.navajonationparks.org/permits/

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ Banned in wilderness and Special Mgmt Areas
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ USFS Special Use Permit required
- Airspace: ⚠️ Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) Class D —
  ATC authorization mandatory for operations near Prescott
- ESA Layer: ⚠️ Southwestern willow flycatcher and Gila
  chub critical habitat in Verde River headwaters
- Historic Layer: ⚠️ Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial —
  site of 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire tragedy; NHPA sensitivity

## Geographic Boundaries
Prescott National Forest is located in Yavapai County, Arizona,
administered by USFS.
- Total area: ~1,237,062 acres
- Coordinates: 34.5400° N, 112.4700° W
- Nearest city: Prescott, AZ (~10 miles east); Cottonwood, AZ
- Nearest airport: Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) ~10 miles east
- Terrain: Bradshaw Mountains; Mingus Mountain (7,743 ft);
  Granite Mountain; Verde River headwaters; Lynx Creek;
  Prescott Basin; Juniper and ponderosa pine zones
- Granite Mountain Wilderness (~9,799 ac) — site of June 30,
  2013 Yarnell Hill Fire; 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots
  perished; Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park
  adjacent; NHPA sensitivity for memorial landscape
- Southwestern willow flycatcher — federally endangered;
  Verde River and Lynx Creek riparian corridors
- Gila chub (Gila intermedia) — federally endangered;
  Verde River headwaters critical habitat
- Prescott Regional Airport Class D airspace overlaps
  eastern forest units
- Airspace: Class D (PRC) eastern forest; Class G elsewhere

## Regulations
- 36 CFR § 261.10 — unauthorized aircraft prohibited
- 36 CFR § 251.50 — Special Use authorization
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — Granite Mountain
  (~9,799 ac); Cedar Bench (~14,950 ac); Pine Mountain
  (~20,061 ac — shared with Tonto NF)
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107.41 — Prescott Class D (PRC);
  ATC authorization mandatory for eastern forest ops
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — southwestern
  willow flycatcher; Gila chub Verde River critical habitat
- Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial — NHPA sensitivity;
  NPS and State Parks joint oversight of memorial landscape
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  Yavapai and prehistoric Prescott Culture sites
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — common
  black hawk; zone-tailed hawk; bald eagle winter presence
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- USFS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 36 CFR § 261.10
- Wilderness Act: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months
- FAA Class D violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day
- ESA Section 9 (flycatcher/Gila chub): civil up to $25,000;
  criminal up to $50,000 + 1 year each
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years
- MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months
- Equipment confiscation by USFS rangers

## Special Permissions
- USFS Special Use Permit required; FAA LAANC required
  for eastern forest Class D operations
- Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial: NHPA Section 106
  review required for any commercial film at memorial site
- ESA Section 7 for flycatcher and Gila chub riparian zones
Submit requests to: Prescott National Forest Supervisor,
344 S Cortez Street, Prescott, AZ 86303
FAA LAANC: https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ Banned in wilderness and Special Mgmt Areas
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ USFS Special Use Permit required
- Tribal Boundary Layer: ⚠️ Mount Baldy summit (11,420 ft) is
  White Mountain Apache tribal land; USFS trail ends at
  tribal boundary 0.25 miles from summit
- ESA Layer: ⚠️ Apache trout + Mexican spotted owl critical habitat
- Wilderness Layer: ⚠️ Mount Baldy Wilderness ~7,079 acres +
  Bear Wallow Wilderness ~11,080 acres

## Geographic Boundaries
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is located in Navajo, Apache,
and Greenlee Counties, Arizona, administered by USFS.
- Total area: ~2,003,421 acres (combined forests)
- Coordinates: 33.9000° N, 109.5000° W
- Nearest city: Show Low, AZ (~40 miles northwest);
  Springerville, AZ (~20 miles east)
- Terrain: White Mountains; Mount Baldy (11,420 ft MSL —
  highest point in AZ outside San Francisco Peaks; summit
  on White Mountain Apache Reservation); Black River;
  Blue Range Primitive Area; Mogollon Rim
- Mount Baldy Wilderness: USFS trail ends 0.25 miles from
  summit; final 0.25 miles is White Mountain Apache tribal
  land — tribal permit required to reach summit
- Apache trout (Oncorhynchus apache) — federally threatened;
  native to White Mountain streams; Black River and
  tributaries = primary critical habitat
- Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) — federally
  endangered; Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area covers
  eastern forest
- Mexican spotted owl — federally threatened; canyon nesting
- White Mountain Apache Reservation immediately adjacent
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G

## Regulations
- 36 CFR § 261.10 — unauthorized aircraft prohibited
- 36 CFR § 251.50 — Special Use authorization
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — Mount Baldy (~7,079 ac)
  and Bear Wallow (~11,080 ac) wilderness units
- White Mountain Apache Tribal Code — Mount Baldy summit
  tribal land; tribal permit required for summit access
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Apache trout
  critical habitat; Mexican gray wolf Blue Range Recovery
  Area (drone disturbance of wolf packs = ESA Section 9 take);
  Mexican spotted owl nesting zones
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  Mogollon and Apache cultural sites throughout forest
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — boreal owl;
  northern goshawk; northern pygmy-owl nesting
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- USFS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 36 CFR § 261.10
- Wilderness Act: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months
- ESA Section 9 (Apache trout): civil up to $25,000;
  criminal up to $50,000 + 1 year
- ESA Section 9 (Mexican wolf): civil up to $25,000;
  criminal up to $50,000 + 1 year
- White Mountain Apache tribal court penalties for summit
  tribal land violations
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years
- MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months
- Equipment confiscation by USFS rangers

## Special Permissions
- USFS Special Use Permit required
- White Mountain Apache Tribe authorization required for
  any operation within 0.5 miles of Mount Baldy summit
- ESA Section 7 required for Apache trout, wolf, and
  spotted owl habitat zones
- Mexican gray wolf recovery zone (Blue Range): USFWS
  Mexican Wolf Recovery Team coordination required
Submit requests to: Apache-Sitgreaves NF Supervisor,
30 S Chiricahua Drive, Springerville, AZ 85938
White Mountain Apache THPO: PO Box 700, Whiteriver, AZ 85941

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- ESA: ⚠️ Piping Plover critical nesting beaches — seasonal absolute ban
- Wild horses: ⚠️ Chincoteague pony herd — disturbance prohibited

## Geographic Boundaries
Assateague Island National Seashore is located in Worcester
County, Maryland, and Accomack County, Virginia.
- Total area: ~41,320 acres
- Length: ~37 miles barrier island
- Coordinates: 38.1167° N, 75.1667° W
- Includes Maryland district (NPS managed), Virginia district
  (shared with Chincoteague NWR/USFWS), wild pony herds,
  and critical Piping Plover nesting beaches
- Nearest city: Ocean City, MD (~8 miles north)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Piping Plover
  (Charadrius melodus) threatened; nesting beach UAS overflight
  constitutes ESA Section 9 harassment
- Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (16 U.S.C. § 1331) —
  Chincoteague pony herd federally protected from harassment
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — colonial
  waterbird nesting on barrier island
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over seashore

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- ESA Piping Plover: up to $25,000 civil + $50,000 criminal
  + 1 year imprisonment per nesting disturbance
- Wild Horse Act: fines up to $2,000 + 1 year imprisonment
- MBTA fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per bird disturbance
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- Piping Plover nesting blackout: April–August absolute ban
- Wild horse research: NPS + Wild Horse Act coordination
- Virginia district: USFWS Chincoteague NWR coordination required
Submit requests to: Assateague Island NS Superintendent,
7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- DC SFRA: ⚠️ Washington D.C. Special Flight Rules Area — military intercept risk
- NHL: ⚠️ National Historic Landmark — presidential birthplace

## Geographic Boundaries
George Washington Birthplace NM is located in Westmoreland
County, Virginia, on the Potomac River.
- Total area: ~662 acres
- Coordinates: 38.1853° N, 76.9244° W
- Includes birthplace memorial house, Colonial farm,
  Washington family burial ground, and Popes Creek shoreline
- ~55 miles southeast of Washington D.C.
- Within Washington D.C. SFRA (60 NM radius of DCA)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
- Washington D.C. Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) —
  14 CFR § 93.335; all UAS within 60 NM of DCA require
  TSA security clearance + FAA authorization
- National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) —
  National Historic Landmark presidential birthplace
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  Washington family colonial archaeological sites
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- DC SFRA violation: immediate military aircraft intercept +
  federal criminal prosecution + certificate revocation
- NHPA penalties for historic landmark disturbance
- ARPA: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- DC SFRA: mandatory TSA security clearance + FAA SFRA authorization
- Historic research: NHPA + Virginia SHPO review required
Submit requests to: George Washington Birthplace NM Superintendent,
1732 Popes Creek Road, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ USFWS Special Use Permit required
- Airspace: ⚠️ Yuma International Airport (YUM) Class D —
  ATC authorization mandatory for southern refuge sections
- ESA Layer: ⚠️ Yuma clapper rail + southwestern willow
  flycatcher critical habitat; ESA Section 9 active
- Border Layer: ⚠️ US-Mexico border ~15 miles south;
  CBP operational awareness zone

## Geographic Boundaries
Imperial National Wildlife Refuge straddles Yuma County, Arizona,
and Imperial County, California, administered by USFWS.
- Total area: ~25,765 acres
- Coordinates: 33.1600° N, 114.4700° W
- Nearest city: Yuma, AZ (~40 miles south);
  Parker, AZ (~30 miles north)
- Nearest airport: Yuma International (YUM) ~40 miles south
- Terrain: lower Colorado River backwaters; Martinez Lake;
  Ferguson Lake; cattail and bulrush marshes; Sonoran Desert
  uplands; talus slopes; riparian cottonwood-willow forest
- Straddles AZ-CA state line — dual state jurisdiction
- Yuma clapper rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) — federally
  endangered; marsh habitat = critical habitat
- Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)
  — federally endangered; riparian nesting May–August
- Colorado River designated Wild & Scenic upstream at Havasu
- Yuma International Airport (YUM) Class D overlaps south
- Yuma Proving Ground restricted airspace (R-2507) in proximity
- US-Mexico border ~15 miles south — CBP awareness required
- Airspace: Class D (YUM) southern sections; Class G elsewhere

## Regulations
- 50 CFR § 27.34 — Prohibits drones within NWR
- USFWS UAS Policy — blanket prohibition
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107.41 — Yuma Class D (YUM); ATC
  authorization mandatory for southern refuge sections
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) Section 9 —
  Yuma clapper rail marsh critical habitat; drone overflight
  = take via harassment
- ESA Section 9 — southwestern willow flycatcher; riparian
  nesting corridor May–August = maximum ESA sensitivity
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — lower Colorado
  River migratory corridor; 280+ species documented
- Wild & Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — Colorado River
  upstream Wild & Scenic designation; river corridor protections
- Quechan Tribe and Fort Mojave cultural interests — Colorado
  River corridor holds sacred significance
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- USFWS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- ESA Section 9 (clapper rail): civil penalties up to $25,000;
  criminal up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment
- ESA Section 9 (willow flycatcher): same penalty structure
- FAA Class D violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day
- MBTA criminal penalties: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by USFWS refuge officers

## Special Permissions
- USFWS Special Use Permit required; ESA Section 7 biological
  assessment mandatory for marsh and riparian corridor ops
- FAA LAANC authorization required for Yuma Class D sections
- Willow flycatcher nesting season (May–August): riparian
  ops prohibited even with valid permit unless ESA Section 7
  completed
- Quechan and Fort Mojave tribal coordination recommended
Submit requests to: Imperial NWR Refuge Manager,
PO Box 72217, Martinez Lake, AZ 85365
FAA LAANC: https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- NHL: ⚠️ National Historic Landmark — presidential heritage protection

## Geographic Boundaries
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHP consists of two units
in LaRue County, Kentucky.
- Birthplace Unit: 37.5333° N, 85.7333° W (~116 acres)
- Boyhood Home Unit (Knob Creek): ~37.5667° N, 85.6667° W (~228 acres)
- Total area: ~344 acres
- Includes Memorial Building (birthplace cabin), Sinking Spring,
  and Knob Creek Farm boyhood home
- Nearest city: Hodgenville, KY (~3 miles north)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
- National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) —
  National Historic Landmark presidential birthplace protections
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  archaeological resources associated with Lincoln farm sites
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over park

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- NHPA penalties for National Historic Landmark disturbance
- ARPA: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- Historic/documentary research: NHPA + SHPO (Kentucky) review
- Archaeological research: NPS + ARPA federal permit required
Submit requests to: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHP Superintendent,
2995 Lincoln Farm Road, Hodgenville, KY 42748

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ NPS Special Use Permit required +
  FAA Class B (LAS) ATC authorization mandatory
- Security Layer: ⚠️ CRITICAL — Hoover Dam permanent federal
  security no-fly zone under 49 U.S.C. § 40103(b)(3);
  drone within dam security perimeter = federal criminal matter
- Airspace: ⚠️ Las Vegas Class B (LAS) — mandatory ATC auth
- Tribal Layer: ⚠️ Moapa Band of Paiute + Fort Mojave Indian Tribe

## Geographic Boundaries
Lake Mead National Recreation Area straddles Clark and Mohave
Counties, Nevada, and Mohave County, Arizona, administered by NPS.
- Total area: ~1,495,664 acres (entire NRA; AZ portion ~40%)
- Coordinates: 36.0156° N, 114.7377° W (Hoover Dam)
- Nearest city: Las Vegas, NV (~30 miles northwest);
  Kingman, AZ (~75 miles south)
- Nearest airport: Las Vegas McCarran/Harry Reid (LAS) ~30 miles NW
- Terrain: Lake Mead (Colorado River impoundment — largest U.S.
  reservoir by volume); Lake Mohave; Hoover Dam (726 ft —
  National Historic Landmark); Black Canyon; Eldorado Canyon;
  Mojave Desert uplands; Colorado River corridor
- Hoover Dam — permanent federal security no-fly zone;
  unauthorized UAS within dam security perimeter triggers
  immediate federal law enforcement response
- Las Vegas Class B airspace (LAS) overlaps NRA
- Moapa Band of Paiute Reservation on northern NRA boundary
- Fort Mojave Indian Tribe lands on southern Arizona portion
- Airspace: Las Vegas Class B (LAS); Class E/G elsewhere in NRA

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval
- 49 U.S.C. § 40103(b)(3) — Hoover Dam permanent federal
  security no-fly zone; any UAS within security perimeter
  = federal criminal violation; Bureau of Reclamation and
  federal law enforcement actively monitor and enforce
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107.41 — Las Vegas Class B (LAS); ATC
  authorization mandatory for NRA operations
- National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) —
  Hoover Dam National Historic Landmark
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  submerged and shoreline Ancestral Puebloan and Mojave
  cultural sites throughout NRA
- American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) —
  Moapa Paiute and Fort Mojave cultural landscape interests
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — Colorado River
  migratory corridor; peregrine falcon nesting on canyon walls
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- Misdemeanor charges under 36 CFR § 1.3
- Hoover Dam security violation: federal criminal prosecution;
  immediate law enforcement detention; no exemptions
- FAA Class B violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day +
  certificate suspension or revocation
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers or federal security

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required; FAA Class B ATC authorization
  mandatory simultaneously
- Hoover Dam security perimeter: NO permit pathway under any
  circumstances; federal security prohibition is absolute
- Moapa Paiute and Fort Mojave tribal consultation required
  for operations near reservation boundaries
- ARPA federal research permit required for shoreline
  archaeological site documentation
Submit requests to: Lake Mead NRA Superintendent,
601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV 89005
FAA LAANC: https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- Wild horses: ⚠️ Free-roaming Pryor Mountain herd — disturbance ban
- WSR: ⚠️ Bighorn River Wild & Scenic corridor

## Geographic Boundaries
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is located in
Big Horn and Carbon Counties, Montana, and Big Horn County, Wyoming.
- Total area: ~120,296 acres
- Coordinates: 45.1500° N, 107.9333° W
- Includes Bighorn Lake (71-mile reservoir), Pryor Mountains,
  Devil Canyon Overlook (1,000 ft sheer walls),
  and Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range
- Spans Montana-Wyoming state line
- Nearest city: Lovell, WY (~5 miles south)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
- Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (16 U.S.C. § 1331) —
  Pryor Mountain wild horse herd federally protected; UAS
  harassment constitutes federal violation
- Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — Bighorn River
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — Golden Eagle
  and Peregrine Falcon nesting in canyon walls
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over recreation area

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- Wild Horse Act violations: fines up to $2,000 +
  1 year imprisonment per incident
- WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance
- MBTA fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per raptor disturbance
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- Wild horse research: BLM + NPS Wild Horse Act coordination
- Raptor nesting blackout: February–August canyon wall areas
Submit requests to: Bighorn Canyon NRA Superintendent,
20 US-14A, Lovell, WY 82431

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- WSR: ⚠️ America's first national scenic riverway (1964)
- ESA: ⚠️ Ozark Hellbender — critically endangered salamander

## Geographic Boundaries
Ozark National Scenic Riverways is located in Carter, Shannon,
Dent, and Texas Counties, Missouri, in the Ozark Highlands.
- Total area: ~80,785 acres
- River length: ~134 miles (Current + Jacks Fork Rivers)
- Coordinates: 37.0000° N, 91.2500° W
- Includes Big Spring (one of largest springs in U.S. — 286 million
  gallons/day), Alley Spring, Round Spring, and Pulltite Spring
- Extensive cave systems throughout park boundary
- Nearest city: Van Buren, MO (headquarters)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
- Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — America's first
  national scenic riverway designation (1964)
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Ozark Hellbender
  (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) critically endangered;
  UAS river disturbance constitutes ESA Section 9 harassment
- Cave Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 4301) — extensive
  Ozark cave systems throughout park boundaries
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over riverways

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance
- ESA Section 9 Hellbender: up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment
- CRPA cave violations: fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- Hellbender research: ESA Section 10 ITP + USFWS coordination
- Cave research: CRPA federal authorization required
- Spring ecosystem research subject to additional NPS review
Submit requests to: Ozark NSR Superintendent,
404 Watercress Drive, Van Buren, MO 63965

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned (wilderness and special mgmt areas)
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ USFS Special Use Permit required
- Airspace: ⚠️ Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) Class D — ATC
  authorization mandatory for operations near Flagstaff
- Sacred Site Layer: ⚠️ AIRFA — sacred to 13 tribal nations;
  among the most legally protected sacred landscapes in the U.S.
- Wilderness Layer: ⚠️ Kachina Peaks Wilderness ~18,960 acres

## Geographic Boundaries
San Francisco Peaks are located in Coconino County, Arizona,
administered by Coconino National Forest, USFS.
- Total area: ~1,856,236 acres (entire Coconino NF)
- Coordinates: 35.3464° N, 111.6780° W (Humphreys Peak summit)
- Nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ (~10 miles south)
- Nearest airport: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) ~8 miles south
- Terrain: San Francisco Volcanic Field; Humphreys Peak (12,633 ft
  MSL — highest point in Arizona); Agassiz Peak (12,356 ft);
  Fremont Peak (11,969 ft); Kachina Peaks Wilderness; Arizona
  Snowbowl ski area on southwest slopes
- Sacred to 13 tribal nations including Hopi, Navajo Nation,
  Havasupai, Hualapai, Yavapai, Apache, Zuni, and others —
  more tribal nations assert sacred affiliation to San Francisco
  Peaks than any other single landscape in Arizona
- Hopi: Nuvatukya'ovi — home of Kachina spirits; most sacred
  site in Hopi cosmology
- Navajo: Dook'o'oosłííd — one of four Sacred Mountains
  defining Diné Bikéyah homeland
- Kachina Peaks Wilderness: ~18,960 acres designated 1984
- Active volcanic field — most recent eruption ~1064 CE
  (Sunset Crater); geologically active system
- Flagstaff Class D airspace (FLG) overlaps lower slopes
- Airspace: Class D (FLG) lower elevations; Class E above;
  high-density-altitude above 10,000 ft MSL

## Regulations
- 36 CFR § 261.10 — prohibits unauthorized aircraft use in
  National Forest wilderness and Special Management Areas
- 36 CFR § 251.50 — Special Use authorization requirements
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — Kachina Peaks Wilderness
  ~18,960 acres; motorized/mechanized prohibition
- American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) —
  13 tribal nations with active sacred site relationships;
  San Francisco Peaks is the most multiply-affiliated sacred
  landscape in Arizona; drone overflight constitutes direct
  AIRFA violation for all 13 nations simultaneously
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107.41 — Flagstaff Class D (FLG); ATC
  authorization mandatory for lower slope operations
- 14 CFR § 91.137 — TFR authority for volcanic/geothermal
  hazard; San Francisco Volcanic Field active system
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  Sinagua and ancestral Puebloan sites throughout forest
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — Mexican
  spotted owl; northern goshawk; peregrine falcon nesting
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Mexican spotted
  owl critical habitat in old-growth spruce-fir forest zones
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- USFS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 36 CFR § 261.10
- Wilderness Act violations: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months
- AIRFA violations: federal civil penalties; DOJ referral
  possible for violations affecting 13 tribal sacred interests
- FAA Class D violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day
- ESA Section 9 (spotted owl): civil penalties up to $25,000;
  criminal up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months
- Equipment confiscation by USFS rangers

## Special Permissions
- USFS Special Use Permit required; 13-tribe AIRFA consultation
  recommended before any permit application
- FAA Class D ATC authorization required for lower slope ops
- ESA Section 7 biological assessment required for spotted
  owl old-growth habitat zones
- High-density-altitude performance analysis required above
  10,000 ft MSL
Submit requests to: Coconino National Forest Supervisor,
1824 S Thompson Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
FAA LAANC: https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- Airspace: 🚫 Salt Lake City Class B (SLC) — most restrictive category
- Cave: ⚠️ CRPA — fragile helictite formations protected

## Geographic Boundaries
Timpanogos Cave National Monument is located in Utah County,
Utah, on the north face of Mount Timpanogos, within
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
- Total area: ~250 acres
- Coordinates: 40.4408° N, 111.7078° W
- Includes Hansen Cave, Middle Cave, Timpanogos Cave
  (connected system), and American Fork Canyon trail access
- Cave elevation: ~6,730 ft MSL
- Within Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) Class B
- Nearest city: American Fork, UT (~7 miles south)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
- Cave Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 4301) — protects
  fragile helictite formations, cave pearls, and rare cave fauna
- FAA Class B Airspace (SLC) — ALL UAS require explicit ATC clearance
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- LAANC: most grid cells show 0 ft AGL under SLC Class B floor

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- CRPA cave violations: fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment
- FAA Class B violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day
  + immediate certificate suspension/revocation
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- FAA Class B ATC clearance mandatory — no LAANC auto-approval
- Cave research: CRPA federal authorization required
- Steep canyon terrain: operational safety review mandatory
Submit requests to: Timpanogos Cave NM Superintendent,
RR 3 Box 200, American Fork, UT 84003

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ Absolutely prohibited — tribal sovereignty primary
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ San Carlos Apache Tribe authorization
  required; FAA Part 107 does not confer rights over tribal airspace
- Tribal Sovereignty: ⚠️ ABSOLUTE — San Carlos Apache Tribe exercises
  full sovereign authority over reservation airspace
- ESA Layer: ⚠️ Apache trout critical habitat in upper Gila
  River tributaries; ESA Section 9 active
- Water Layer: ⚠️ San Carlos Lake (Coolidge Dam) — major Colorado
  River basin water storage; federal reclamation infrastructure

## Geographic Boundaries
San Carlos Apache Reservation is located in Graham, Gila, Pinal,
and Maricopa Counties, Arizona, administered by the San Carlos
Apache Tribe.
- Total area: ~1,853,841 acres (~2,897 square miles)
- Coordinates: 33.3536° N, 110.4440° W (San Carlos, tribal capital)
- Nearest city: Globe, AZ (~25 miles northwest);
  Safford, AZ (~40 miles east)
- Terrain: Sonoran and Chihuahuan Desert transition; Gila Mountains;
  Point of Pines; San Carlos Lake (Coolidge Dam reservoir);
  Gila River; Black River; upper Salt River drainage
- San Carlos Lake — largest lake in Arizona; formed by Coolidge
  Dam (1928, National Historic Landmark); tribal fishing permit
  required; major recreational destination
- Apache trout (Oncorhynchus apache) — federally threatened;
  upper Gila River tributaries on reservation = critical habitat
- Adjacent to White Mountain Apache Reservation to the north
- Globe/Miami copper mining district on western boundary —
  EPA Superfund proximity
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G

## Regulations
- San Carlos Apache Tribal Code — sovereign authority over all
  reservation lands and airspace
- Federal Indian Law (25 U.S.C. § 177) — tribal sovereignty doctrine
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) Section 9 — Apache
  trout critical habitat in upper Gila tributaries; drone
  disturbance of stream habitat = potential take
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  extensive prehistoric Salado, Hohokam, and Apache cultural
  sites throughout reservation; tribal THPO exercises authority
- American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) —
  sacred springs, mountains, and ceremonial sites throughout
  San Carlos Apache traditional homeland
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
  (25 U.S.C. § 3001) — ancestral burial sites throughout
- San Carlos Apache Game and Fish regulations — tribal wildlife
  harassment prohibition; game wardens patrol reservation
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — zone-tailed hawk;
  common black hawk; bald eagle winter presence at San Carlos Lake
- Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 668) —
  bald eagle documented at San Carlos Lake winter season
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- San Carlos Apache tribal court: equipment confiscation; fines;
  criminal charges; permanent reservation ban; game warden
  enforcement active
- ESA Section 9 (Apache trout): civil penalties up to $25,000;
  criminal penalties up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- NAGPRA violations: federal criminal prosecution
- BGEPA violations: fines up to $100,000 + 2 years (second offense)
- MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 32 for willful violations

## Special Permissions
- San Carlos Apache Tribe Historic Preservation Office is the
  primary authorization pathway
- ESA Section 7 biological assessment required for Apache trout
  tributary operations — USFWS coordination mandatory
- San Carlos Lake: tribal fishing permit required for any
  water-surface adjacent operations; separate tribal recreation
  department authorization needed
- Film and research: tribal permit required; footage subject
  to tribal review
Submit requests to: San Carlos Apache Tribe Historic
Preservation Office,
PO Box 0, San Carlos, AZ 85550
San Carlos Apache Tribe Recreation Department:
PO Box 97, San Carlos, AZ 85550

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- WSR: ⚠️ Original 1968 Wild & Scenic River designation
- ESA: ⚠️ Higgins Eye Pearly Mussel — endangered freshwater mussel

## Geographic Boundaries
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway follows the St. Croix
and Namekagon Rivers across Burnett, Polk, Washburn, Sawyer,
and Douglas Counties (WI) and Pine County (MN).
- Total area: ~67,000 acres
- River length: ~252 miles protected corridor
- Coordinates: 45.4100° N, 92.6400° W
- Includes Namekagon River, St. Croix River, Interstate State Park
  area, and Dalles of the St. Croix gorge
- Nearest city: St. Croix Falls, WI (headquarters)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
- Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — one of original
  8 rivers designated in 1968 Act; strictest WSR protections
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Higgins Eye Pearly
  Mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) endangered; riverbed UAS disturbance
  constitutes ESA Section 9 habitat disruption
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over riverway

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance
- ESA Section 9 Higgins Eye: up to $25,000 civil +
  $50,000 criminal + 1 year imprisonment
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- Higgins Eye mussel research: ESA Section 10 ITP + USFWS coordination
- Multi-state operations require coordination with both WI and MN
Submit requests to: Saint Croix NSR Superintendent,
401 N Hamilton Street, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned — site closed to all public access
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS + tribal permits
- Tribal land: ⚠️ Gila River Indian Community — tribal sovereignty
- NAGPRA: ⚠️ Active ancestral Hohokam village site

## Geographic Boundaries
Hohokam Pima National Monument is located within the
Gila River Indian Community Reservation, Maricopa County, Arizona.
- Total area: ~1,690 acres
- Coordinates: 33.1500° N, 111.8333° W
- Includes Snaketown — one of the largest and most significant
  Hohokam archaeological sites (~300 BCE to 1400 CE)
- Entirely within Gila River Indian Community tribal lands
- No public access permitted; tribal sovereignty applies
- Nearest city: Chandler, AZ (~12 miles north)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
- Gila River Indian Community Tribal Code — complete sovereignty
  over reservation lands and airspace
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  Snaketown is one of the most significant Hohokam sites in existence
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
  (25 U.S.C. § 3001) — ancestral Hohokam burial sites
- National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) —
  National Historic Landmark protections
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class G; Phoenix Class B TMA ~30 miles northwest

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- ARPA: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- NAGPRA: fines up to $100,000 + criminal prosecution
- Gila River tribal court penalties for sovereignty violations
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by tribal police and/or NPS rangers

## Special Permissions
- Dual permit: NPS Special Use Permit + Gila River IC tribal permit
- ARPA + NAGPRA federal research permits required
- Tribal consultation with Gila River Indian Community mandatory
- Site is closed to all public — research access extremely limited
Submit requests to: Hohokam Pima NM
c/o Casa Grande Ruins NM Superintendent,
1100 W Ruins Drive, Coolidge, AZ 85128

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- WSR: ⚠️ America's first national river — Wild & Scenic designation
- ESA: ⚠️ Ozark Hellbender — critically endangered

## Geographic Boundaries
Buffalo National River is located in Baxter, Marion, Searcy,
Newton, Carroll, and Boone Counties, Arkansas.
- Total area: ~94,293 acres
- River length: ~135 miles (entire Buffalo River protected)
- Coordinates: 36.0986° N, 92.9243° W
- Includes Lost Valley, Steel Creek, Ponca, Hemmed-in Hollow
  Falls (209 ft — tallest waterfall between Rockies and Appalachians),
  and extensive limestone cave systems
- Nearest city: Harrison, AR (~25 miles north)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
- Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — Buffalo River
  designated America's first national river 1972
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Ozark Hellbender
  (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) critically endangered;
  UAS disturbance of river habitat constitutes ESA Section 9
- Cave Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 4301) — extensive
  limestone cave systems within park boundaries
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over river

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance
- ESA Section 9 Hellbender: up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment
- CRPA cave violations: fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- Hellbender research: ESA Section 10 ITP + USFWS coordination
- Cave research: CRPA federal authorization required
Submit requests to: Buffalo National River Superintendent,
170 Ranger Road, St. Joe, AR 72675

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without USFWS Special Use Permit
- Military Layer: ⚠️ Yuma Proving Ground restricted airspace (R-2303
  series) on eastern refuge boundary — DoD overlap for eastern units
- Wildlife Layer: ⚠️ Desert bighorn sheep — largest NWR population
  in U.S.; drone harassment = federal wildlife offense
- Wilderness Layer: ⚠️ ~516,200 acres designated wilderness

## Geographic Boundaries
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is located in Yuma and La Paz Counties,
Arizona, administered by USFWS.
- Total area: ~665,400 acres
- Coordinates: 33.3700° N, 114.0800° W
- Nearest city: Quartzsite, AZ (~30 miles north);
  Yuma, AZ (~60 miles south)
- Terrain: Kofa Mountains; Castle Dome Mountains; Signal Mountain;
  Palm Canyon (only native palm grove in Arizona — 11 California
  fan palms in a granite canyon); bajadas; volcanic ridges;
  Sonoran Desert uplands
- Desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) — ~800 individuals;
  largest population on any NWR in the United States; established
  population basis for reintroductions throughout SW
- ~516,200 acres federally designated wilderness (P.L. 101-628, 1990)
- Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) restricted airspace R-2303 series
  on eastern boundary — active military weapons testing range
- Palm Canyon: seasonal high visitation; California fan palms
  (Washingtonia filifera) in only native AZ palm population
- Airspace: Class G at surface; R-2303 immediately adjacent east;
  Class E above 700 ft AGL

## Regulations
- 50 CFR § 27.34 — Prohibits use of aircraft and drones within
  National Wildlife Refuges
- USFWS UAS Policy — blanket prohibition within refuge
- 14 CFR § 73.3 — Yuma Proving Ground restricted airspace R-2303;
  eastern refuge operations must verify boundary proximity;
  any incursion = federal criminal violation
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — ~516,200 acres wilderness;
  motorized prohibition; covers most of refuge
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — Sonoran Desert
  avifauna; LeConte's thrasher; gilded flicker; elf owl;
  peregrine falcon winter presence
- Arizona state wildlife regulations — concurrent state layer
  for bighorn sheep disturbance under A.R.S. § 17-301
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  prehistoric and historic Quechan and Mohave cultural sites
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- USFWS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 50 CFR § 27.34
- Arizona bighorn sheep harassment: state wildlife violation
  under A.R.S. § 17-301; fines + potential license revocation
- Wilderness Act violations: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months
- R-2303 military airspace incursion: federal criminal charges
  under 49 U.S.C. § 46307; DoD security enforcement
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by USFWS refuge officers

## Special Permissions
- USFWS Special Use Permit required; Wilderness compliance plan
  mandatory (~516,200 acres)
- Yuma Proving Ground Range Control coordination required for
  any eastern refuge operations within 5 miles of R-2303
- Bighorn sheep lambing season (January–March) — additional
  seasonal restrictions on mountain unit operations
- Palm Canyon: high visitor density area; permit timing must
  avoid peak visitation windows (October–April)
Submit requests to: Kofa NWR Refuge Manager,
9300 E 28th Street, Yuma, AZ 85365
YPG Range Control: Yuma Proving Ground,
301 C Street, Yuma Proving Ground, AZ 85365

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- Tribal land: ⚠️ Crow Indian Reservation — tribal sovereignty overlay
- NHL: ⚠️ National Historic Landmark — strictest heritage protections

## Geographic Boundaries
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is located in
Big Horn County, Montana, entirely within the Crow Indian Reservation.
- Total area: ~765 acres
- Coordinates: 45.5675° N, 107.4272° W
- Includes Last Stand Hill, Custer National Cemetery,
  Indian Memorial, and Deep Ravine Trail
- Entirely surrounded by Crow Indian Reservation lands
- Nearest city: Hardin, MT (~15 miles north)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
- National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) —
  National Historic Landmark protections
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  battlefield archaeological resources
- Crow Tribal sovereignty — monument surrounded by Crow Nation
  lands; tribal regulations apply to adjacent airspace
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
  (25 U.S.C. § 3001) — warrior remains and sacred items
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over monument

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- ARPA: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- NAGPRA violations: fines up to $100,000 + criminal prosecution
- Crow Tribal court penalties for reservation airspace violations
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers and/or Crow Tribal police

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- Crow Nation tribal consultation mandatory for any operations
- ARPA + NAGPRA permits for archaeological research
- Documentary work subject to Crow Nation cultural review
Submit requests to: Little Bighorn Battlefield NM Superintendent,
756 Battlefield Tour Road, Crow Agency, MT 59022

## Drone Rules - Montezuma Castle National Monument































**Drone use is prohibited** at Montezuma Castle National Monument.

























### Key Rules
- No recreational drone flights within the monument
- Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit
- The 20-room, five-story Sinagua cliff dwelling built around 1100 AD is one of the best-preserved prehistoric structures in the US









### Source
- Montezuma Castle NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/rules.htm

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned (both monuments)
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- Dual Monument Layer: ⚠️ Single superintendent oversees both —
  permit applications must address both sites if operating
  in Verde Valley corridor
- Tribal Layer: ⚠️ Yavapai-Apache Nation — direct cultural
  affiliation; tribal THPO exercises active oversight
- Archaeological Layer: ⚠️ ARPA maximum sensitivity —
  Montezuma Castle is best-preserved cliff dwelling in North America

## Geographic Boundaries
Montezuma Castle National Monument:
- Total area: ~858 acres (two units: Castle and Well)
- Coordinates: 34.6117° N, 111.8356° W
- Nearest city: Camp Verde, AZ (~3 miles south)
- Terrain: Beaver Creek limestone cliff; 20-room five-story
  Sinagua cliff dwelling; Montezuma Well unit (limestone sink,
  ~1.5 miles north — separate detached unit)

Tuzigoot National Monument:
- Total area: ~801 acres
- Coordinates: 34.7731° N, 112.0278° W
- Nearest city: Clarkdale, AZ (~1 mile south)
- Terrain: 120-ft basalt hilltop; Verde River floodplain;
  110-room Sinagua pueblo (~1000–1425 CE)
- Both monuments in Verde Valley, ~19 miles apart
- Yavapai-Apache Nation Reservation immediately adjacent to
  both monuments
- Verde River corridor — important migratory bird habitat
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G (both)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority (both)
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval (both)
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  Montezuma Castle is the best-preserved cliff dwelling in North
  America; five-story original masonry, wooden beams, and plaster
  intact; drone prop wash near cliff face threatens irreplaceable
  structural fabric; among highest ARPA enforcement priorities
  in Arizona NPS system
- National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) —
  both monuments listed on National Register of Historic Places;
  Montezuma Castle is a National Historic Landmark
- American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) —
  Yavapai-Apache Nation maintains active ceremonial and
  ancestral relationship with both sites
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
  (25 U.S.C. § 3001) — ancestral remains documented at
  Tuzigoot excavation areas
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — Verde River
  corridor; vermilion flycatcher; common black hawk; bald
  eagle winter presence on Verde River
- Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 668) —
  bald eagle winter presence on Verde River at Tuzigoot
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation per monument
- Misdemeanor charges under 36 CFR § 1.3
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment;
  Montezuma Castle cliff face disturbance = among most serious
  ARPA violations possible at any AZ NPS site
- NHPA civil penalties for National Historic Landmark damage
- NAGPRA violations: federal criminal prosecution
- MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment
- BGEPA violations: fines up to $100,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required; single permit may cover
  both monuments if issued by Verde Valley superintendent
- Yavapai-Apache Nation THPO consultation mandatory for any
  cliff dwelling or pueblo proximity operations at either site
- ARPA federal research permit required; structural vibration
  assessment required before any low-altitude Montezuma Castle
  cliff face permit is considered
- NAGPRA consultation required for Tuzigoot excavation area
  operations
Submit requests to: Montezuma Castle/Tuzigoot NM Superintendent,
PO Box 219, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Yavapai-Apache Nation THPO:
2400 W Datsi Street, Camp Verde, AZ 86322

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial: ❌ Prohibited



## Geographic Boundaries
Entire monument area including mounds, trails, and protected lands.








## Regulations
- NPS unmanned aircraft prohibition
- 36 CFR §1.5
- FAA Part 107










## Penalties
- Federal fines
- Removal from park






## Special Permissions
Only with written authorization.

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- NHPA: ⚠️ National Historic Landmark — strictest heritage protections
- Tribal: ⚠️ Sacred Woodland culture sites — tribal consultation required

## Geographic Boundaries
Effigy Mounds National Monument is located in Allamakee
and Clayton Counties, Iowa, along the Mississippi River.
- Total area: ~2,526 acres
- Coordinates: 43.0855° N, 91.1874° W
- Includes Great Bear Mound, Marching Bears group (10 bear effigies),
  Little Bear Mound, and 206 known prehistoric mounds
- Situated on bluffs above the Upper Mississippi River
- Nearest city: Marquette, IA (~3 miles south)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
- National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) —
  National Historic Landmark; prehistoric mound protections
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  prohibits disturbance of archaeological resources
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
  (25 U.S.C. § 3001) — NAGPRA protects burial mounds and
  associated cultural items from any disturbance
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over monument

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- ARPA: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- NAGPRA violations: fines up to $100,000 + criminal prosecution
  for burial mound disturbance
- NHPA penalties for National Historic Landmark disturbance
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- Archaeological research: NPS + SHPO + ARPA + tribal consultation
- NAGPRA: mandatory consultation with 20+ affiliated tribes
  before any research near burial mound areas
Submit requests to: Effigy Mounds NM Superintendent,
151 IA-76, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ Absolutely prohibited — military range overlay
  makes unauthorized entry a federal criminal matter independent
  of USFWS regulations
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Requires USFWS Special Use Permit AND
  Luke AFB/BMGR written authorization — both mandatory; neither
  alone is sufficient
- Military Layer: ⚠️ CRITICAL — entire refuge overlaps Barry M.
  Goldwater Air Force Range (R-2301 series); active military
  training airspace; unauthorized UAS = federal criminal violation
- Border Layer: ⚠️ 56 miles US-Mexico border; CBP active operations;
  federal security response to unauthorized UAS
- ESA Layer: ⚠️ Sonoran pronghorn primary recovery population —
  ESA Section 9 maximum enforcement priority

## Geographic Boundaries
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is located in Pima and
Yuma Counties, Arizona, administered by USFWS.
- Total area: ~860,010 acres (~1,344 square miles) —
  third largest NWR in the contiguous United States
- Coordinates: 32.2500° N, 113.2000° W
- Nearest city: Ajo, AZ (~35 miles northeast);
  Yuma, AZ (~50 miles northwest)
- Terrain: Sonoran Desert; Cabeza Prieta Mountains; Tule Desert;
  Growler Valley; lava flows; volcanic peaks; sand dunes;
  dry lake beds (tinajas — natural water catchments)
- Entire refuge overlaps Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range
  (R-2301A/B/C/D/E) — largest military overland training range
  in the United States (~1.7 million acres total BMGR)
- 56-mile international border with Sonora, Mexico
- Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis) —
  federally endangered; ~100–160 individuals; Cabeza Prieta
  = primary U.S. recovery population; USFWS Sonoran Pronghorn
  Recovery Program headquartered at refuge
- Organ Pipe Cactus NM on eastern boundary
- Tohono O'odham Nation on northeastern boundary
- Airspace: R-2301 military restricted (most of refuge);
  Class G at surface; complex overlapping restricted areas

## Regulations
- 50 CFR § 27.34 — Prohibits use of aircraft and drones within
  National Wildlife Refuges
- USFWS UAS Policy — blanket prohibition within refuge
- 14 CFR § 73.3 — Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range restricted
  airspace R-2301 series; entire refuge under military airspace;
  unauthorized entry = federal criminal violation regardless of
  USFWS permit status
- DoD/Luke AFB operational authority — BMGR is an active
  military training range; live ordnance may be present;
  unauthorized UAS presents safety hazard to military aircraft
- 6 U.S.C. § 211 — DHS/CBP 56-mile border operational authority;
  unauthorized UAS = federal security incident
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) Section 9 —
  Sonoran pronghorn primary U.S. recovery population;
  drone harassment of pronghorn = take; USFWS Recovery
  Program actively monitors for violations
- ESA Section 9 — lesser long-nosed bat (MBTA/ESA overlap);
  cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl documented in refuge
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — Sonoran Desert
  avifauna; elf owl; Gila woodpecker; Lucy's warbler
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  O'odham and prehistoric cultural sites throughout refuge;
  ancient tinaja water source sites
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — ~803,418 acres designated
  wilderness — one of largest wilderness areas in lower 48 states
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- USFWS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 50 CFR § 27.34
- R-2301 military restricted airspace violation: federal criminal
  charges under 49 U.S.C. § 46307; potential DoD security
  enforcement; no civilian exemptions; live ordnance risk
- CBP border zone interference: federal criminal charges;
  DHS detention and investigation
- ESA Section 9 (Sonoran pronghorn): civil penalties up to
  $25,000; criminal penalties up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment;
  USFWS Recovery Program considers pronghorn disturbance
  among highest ESA enforcement priorities in Arizona
- Wilderness Act violations: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 32 for willful violations
- Equipment confiscation by USFWS officers or military police

## Special Permissions
- USFWS Special Use Permit required; Luke AFB/BMGR written
  authorization mandatory — BMGR authorization takes precedence
  and cannot be waived by USFWS
- Contact BMGR Range Management Office before any permit
  application; military training schedules determine available
  windows for any authorized operations
- ESA Section 7 biological assessment mandatory for Sonoran
  pronghorn recovery zone — most stringent ESA review of any
  NWR permit in Arizona
- CBP Yuma Sector coordination required for all border-zone
  operations (southern refuge)
- Wilderness compliance plan required (~803,418 acres)
- Refuge entry itself requires separate permit from USFWS
  (even for ground access)
Submit requests to: Cabeza Prieta NWR Refuge Manager,
1611 N 2nd Avenue, Ajo, AZ 85321
Luke AFB/BMGR Range Management:
56th Fighter Wing, 14185 W Falcon Street,
Luke AFB, AZ 85309
CBP Yuma Sector: 4035 S Avenue 5E, Yuma, AZ 85365