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

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

## Geographic Boundaries
Entire monument area including Rainbow Bridge and surrounding protected lands.

## Regulations
- NPS drone ban
- 36 CFR §1.5
- FAA Part 107

## Penalties
- Federal fines
- Park enforcement

## Special Permissions
Only with written approval.

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

## Geographic Boundaries
Entire monument including cliff dwellings, trails, and protected areas.

## Regulations
- NPS drone prohibition
- 36 CFR §1.5

## Penalties
- Federal fines
- Enforcement action

## Special Permissions
Only with authorization.

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

## Geographic Boundaries
Entire monument area including historic fort, visitor areas, and protected desert lands.

## Regulations
- National Park Service unmanned aircraft prohibition
- 36 CFR §1.5
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107

## Penalties
- Federal fines
- Removal from park property
- FAA penalties

## Special Permissions
Only allowed with written National Park Service authorization.

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

## Geographic Boundaries
Entire historic site including battlefield area, trails, and visitor zones.

## Regulations
- National Park Service unmanned aircraft prohibition
- 36 CFR §1.5
- FAA Part 107

## Penalties
- Federal fines
- Removal from site
- FAA penalties

## Special Permissions
Only allowed with written authorization.

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

## Geographic Boundaries
Entire monument area including quarry sites, trails, and protected zones.

## Regulations
- NPS drone prohibition
- 36 CFR §1.5

## Penalties
- Federal fines
- Enforcement actions

## Special Permissions
Only with written approval.

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

## Geographic Boundaries
Entire Lake Meredith area including shoreline, recreational zones, and protected lands.

## Regulations
- NPS drone ban
- 36 CFR §1.5
- FAA Part 107

## Penalties
- Federal fines
- Park enforcement

## Special Permissions
Only allowed with authorization.

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

## Geographic Boundaries
Entire Amistad National Recreation Area including reservoir, shoreline, and protected zones.

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

## Penalties
- Federal fines
- Enforcement actions

## Special Permissions
Only with written authorization.

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned — Wilderness Act bans all motorized
  and mechanical equipment including UAS
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Banned — no commercial drone permits
  available; BLM commercial photography permit required for
  non-drone use only

## Geographic Boundaries
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, San Juan County, New Mexico.
Total area: 7,242 acres (29.31 km²) of badlands, clay hills,
and sandstone cap rocks.
Coordinates: 36°10'00" N, 107°55'02" W
Nearest city: Bloomfield, NM (~34 miles north via US-550)
Access: NM-57 (west of Nageezi) — parking along road adjacent
to wilderness boundary; no trails, no services.
Adjacent: Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness (southeast) and
Navajo Nation (west) — tribal sovereign territory applies
to adjacent lands.
Airspace: Class G / Class E rural — no LAANC coverage.
Established: March 12, 2019 (John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation,
Management, and Recreation Act, Pub. L. 116-9)

## Regulations
- Wilderness Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1131 — UAS classified as
  motorized equipment; prohibited from launch, landing,
  or operation in designated wilderness
- 43 CFR § 8560.0-5 — BLM wilderness area management
- 43 CFR § 8360.0-7 — BLM prohibited acts on public lands
- Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA),
  16 U.S.C. § 470aaa — internationally significant vertebrate
  fossil deposits including Fruitland Formation and Kirtland
  Formation specimens; fossil collecting prohibited without
  federal permit; drone disturbance of sites is a violation
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA),
  16 U.S.C. § 470aa — cultural sites present
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), 16 U.S.C. § 703 —
  raptor nesting habitat; drone harassment is a federal offense
- John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation Act, Pub. L. 116-9 (2019) —
  authorizing statute establishing the wilderness designation

## Penalties
- BLM fines up to $1,000 per violation under 43 CFR § 8360.0-7
- PRPA penalties up to $10,000 + imprisonment for fossil
  site disturbance
- ARPA penalties up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- MBTA penalties 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
  airspace violations
- Equipment confiscation by BLM Farmington Field Office rangers

## Special Permissions
No recreational drone permits available. Commercial non-drone
photography permit:

Submit requests to: BLM Farmington Field Office,
6251 College Blvd., Suite A, Farmington, NM 87402
Phone: (505) 564-7600

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial: ❌ Not allowed without SANParks + SACAA dual permit
- Anti-poaching: ⚠️ Active military-grade surveillance operations;
  unauthorized UAS may be electronically jammed or physically intercepted
- Rhino/elephant zones: ⚠️ Absolute disturbance prohibition

## Geographic Boundaries
Kruger National Park is located in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces,
South Africa, bordering Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
- Total area: ~19,485 km² (~4,815,000 acres)
- Coordinates: 23.9884° S, 31.5547° E
- Includes Skukuza (main camp), Letaba, Olifants River,
  Limpopo River border zone, and Kruger-to-Canyons Biosphere Reserve
- Part of Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (~35,000 km²)
- Nearest city: Nelspruit/Mbombela (~90 km southwest of Skukuza)

## Regulations
- National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004
  (NEMBA) — Section 57 prohibits activities disturbing listed
  threatened or protected species
- South African National Parks Act 57 of 1976 — SANParks authority
  over all activities in national parks
- Civil Aviation Act 13 of 2009 (SA) — SACAA Part 101 regulates
  all RPAS operations; commercial requires RPAS operator certificate
  and remote pilot license
- SACAA Technical Standard Order RPAS 01 of 2015 —
  mandatory registration for all RPAS over 7kg
- National Key Points Act 102 of 1980 — designated ranger
  infrastructure classified as key points; UAS proximity prohibited
- Airspace: Class G throughout park; Kruger Mpumalanga
  International Airport Class D ~40 km from Skukuza

## Penalties
- SANParks: immediate arrest + equipment confiscation + lifetime ban
- NEMBA Section 57: fines up to ZAR 10,000,000 (~USD $540,000)
  + up to 10 years imprisonment for species disturbance
- Civil Aviation Act: fines up to ZAR 50,000 per RPAS violation
- National Key Points Act: criminal prosecution
- Anti-poaching units authorized to use force against
  unauthorized airspace intrusions

## Special Permissions
- SANParks Research & Scientific Services permit (Skukuza office)
- SACAA RPAS operator certificate + remote pilot license
- Anti-poaching coordination clearance (mandatory for all flights)
- Wildlife research requires NEMBA threatened species permit
Submit requests to: SANParks Scientific Services,
Private Bag X402, Skukuza 1350, Mpumalanga, South Africa
SANParks permits: https://www.sanparks.org/conservation/scientific_services/

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial: ❌ Not allowed without Forest Dept + DGCA dual permit
- Tiger Reserve: ⚠️ Project Tiger zone — absolute disturbance ban
- Core zone: ⚠️ No human activity permitted whatsoever

## Geographic Boundaries
Jim Corbett National Park is located in Nainital and Pauri Garhwal
Districts, Uttarakhand, India.
- Total area: ~520 km² (core) / ~1,318 km² (with buffer)
- Coordinates: 29.5300° N, 78.7747° E
- Includes Dhikala zone, Bijrani zone, Jhirna zone,
  Ramganga River corridor, and Corbett Tiger Reserve buffer
- Nearest city: Ramnagar, UK (~1 km from main gate)

## Regulations
- Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (India) — Section 35 prohibits
  any activity disturbing wildlife in national parks;
  UAS overflight constitutes disturbance under WPA guidelines
- The Drone Rules 2021 (India, MCA3.0) — DGCA mandates
  UAS registration on Digital Sky Platform; Green/Yellow/Red
  zone framework; national parks designated Red Zones
- Environment Protection Act 1986 — MoEFCC authority over
  protected area activities
- Project Tiger Directive — National Tiger Conservation Authority
  (NTCA) prohibits all motorized equipment in tiger reserve core
- Forest Conservation Act 1980 — prohibits use of forest land
  for non-forest activities without Central Government approval
- Airspace: Red Zone (no-fly) within 5 km of park boundary
  per DGCA Digital Sky Platform

## Penalties
- WPA Section 51: imprisonment up to 7 years + fines up to
  INR 25,000 for wildlife disturbance
- Drone Rules 2021: fines up to INR 1,00,000 per violation
- Red Zone violation: immediate grounding + criminal charges
- Equipment confiscation by Forest Department officials
- NTCA penalties for tiger reserve core zone violations

## Special Permissions
- DGCA Digital Sky Platform Green Zone clearance required
- Forest Department Director written permit
- NTCA authorization for tiger reserve buffer zone research
- Wildlife Institute of India (WII) research coordination
Submit requests to: Field Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve,
Ramnagar, Nainital District, Uttarakhand 244715, India
DGCA Digital Sky: https://digitalsky.dgca.gov.in

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned without DOC Activity Permit
- Commercial: ❌ Not allowed without DOC Concession
- UNESCO WHC: ⚠️ Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand WHS
- Endangered species: ⚠️ Kākāpō and takahe absolute disturbance ban

## Geographic Boundaries
Fiordland National Park is located in the Southland and Otago regions,
South Island, New Zealand.
- Total area: ~12,607 km² (~3,115,000 acres) — largest NZ national park
- Coordinates: 45.4167° S, 167.7167° E
- Includes Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, Doubtful Sound, Lake Te Anau,
  Lake Manapouri, Kepler, Routeburn, and Milford Tracks
- Nearest city: Te Anau (~1 hour from Milford Sound)

## Regulations
- National Parks Act 1980 (NZ) — Section 4 preserves park in natural
  state; drones constitute "disturbance" under Act
- Conservation Act 1987 (NZ) — DOC authority to regulate all
  activities within conservation land
- Civil Aviation Act 1990 (NZ) + CAA Rule Part 101 —
  all UAS operations require CAA registration; operations near
  people or in controlled airspace require Part 102 Certificate
- Wildlife Act 1953 (NZ) — absolute prohibition on disturbing
  any protected wildlife including kākāpō (critically endangered),
  takahe, and fiordland crested penguin
- Resource Management Act 1991 — district plan controls on
  low-flying aircraft noise in wilderness zones
- Airspace: Class G throughout most of Fiordland;
  Milford Sound Class C approach corridor

## Penalties
- DOC fines up to NZD $100,000 per violation under National Parks Act
- Wildlife Act fines up to NZD $100,000 + 2 years imprisonment
  for kākāpō/takahe disturbance
- CAA Rule Part 101 infringement: NZD $2,000–$50,000
- Criminal prosecution under Conservation Act for repeat offenses
- Equipment confiscation by DOC rangers

## Special Permissions
- DOC Activity Permit for recreational research
- DOC Concession for commercial operations (multi-agency review)
- CAA Part 102 Certificate for controlled airspace near Milford Sound
- DOC Recovery Group coordination for any kākāpō zone proximity
Submit requests to: DOC Fiordland National Park,
Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9600, New Zealand

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107/STC): ❌ Not allowed without Parks Canada permit
- UNESCO WHC: ⚠️ Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks transboundary heritage site

## Geographic Boundaries
Banff National Park is located in Alberta, Canada, in the Canadian Rockies.
- Total area: ~6,641 km² (~1,641,000 acres)
- Coordinates: 51.4968° N, 115.9281° W
- Includes Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Icefields Parkway,
  Banff townsite, and Columbia Icefield (shared with Jasper NP)
- Nearest city: Calgary, AB (~130 km east)

## Regulations
- Canada National Parks Act (S.C. 2000, c. 32) — Section 16 prohibits
  activities that disturb wildlife or damage park resources
- Parks Canada Drone Policy (2018) — explicit UAS prohibition in all
  national parks without written authorization
- Transport Canada Aeronautics Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. A-2) —
  Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part IX governs UAS nationally
- CARs 901.71 — Basic Operations certificate required for all UAS
- CARs 901.74 — Advanced Operations certificate for controlled airspace
- Canadian Wildlife Act — protects wildlife from harassment
- UNESCO World Heritage Convention — Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
- Airspace: Class G below 700 ft AGL in rural areas;
  Class E above; Banff townsite within Class E surface area

## Penalties
- Parks Canada fines up to CAD $25,000 per violation under National Parks Act
- Transport Canada fines up to CAD $3,000 (recreational) or
  CAD $25,000 (commercial) per CARs violation
- Criminal prosecution under Aeronautics Act for willful violations
- Equipment confiscation by Parks Canada wardens

## Special Permissions
- Parks Canada written permit for scientific/documentary research
- Transport Canada Advanced Operations certificate for controlled airspace
- Film/media permits via Parks Canada Film Office
Submit requests to: Parks Canada, Banff Field Unit,
PO Box 900, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada
Film permits: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/media/permits

## Drone Rules - Kenai Fjords National Park




**Drones are not permitted** in Kenai Fjords National Park.









### Key Rules
- No recreational drone flights within the park
- Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit
- Humpback whales, Steller sea lions, and puffin colonies require strict aerial protection










### Source
- NPS UAS Policy: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uas.htm

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

## Geographic Boundaries
Kenai Fjords National Park is located in the Kenai Peninsula Borough,
Alaska, on the Gulf of Alaska.
- Total area: ~669,983 acres
- Coordinates: 59.9167° N, 150.1667° W
- Includes Harding Icefield (~700 sq miles), 40+ glaciers, Aialik Bay,
  Northwestern Fjord, and Resurrection Bay
- Home to ~200,000 seabirds nesting on coastal cliffs
- Nearest city: Seward, AK (~12 miles from park boundary)

## 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
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — Kenai Fjords Wilderness
- Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA,
  16 U.S.C. § 3101) — Alaska-specific NPS management provisions
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — protects horned
  puffin, tufted puffin, murre, and kittiwake nesting colonies
- Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 1361) — Steller sea
  lion, harbor seal, and orca protections in fjord waters
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class E above 1,200 ft AGL; surface Class G within park

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- Wilderness Act penalties for motorized equipment violations
- MBTA fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per seabird colony disturbance
- MMPA violations: civil fines up to $10,000 per marine mammal
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- MBTA Scientific Collecting Permit for seabird colony research
- MMPA Letter of Authorization for marine mammal research
- Glaciological research with NPS + USGS approval
Submit requests to: Kenai Fjords NP Superintendent,
PO Box 1727, Seward, AK 99664

##
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: ❌ Canyonlands Wilderness absolute motorized ban

## Geographic Boundaries
Canyonlands National Park — Maze District is located in San Juan
and Wayne Counties, Utah, on the Colorado Plateau.
- Total park area: ~337,598 acres
- Maze District: ~40,000 acres (westernmost, most remote district)
- Coordinates: 38.1500° N, 110.1833° W
- Includes The Maze canyon labyrinth, Horseshoe Canyon (Great Gallery
  pictographs), Land of Standing Rocks, and Doll House formations
- No paved roads; high-clearance 4WD required for access
- Nearest city: Hanksville, UT (~50 miles northwest)

## 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
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — Canyonlands Wilderness
- National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) —
  Horseshoe Canyon Great Gallery rock art (Barrier Canyon Style,
  ~2,000–8,000 years old)
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) —
  protects pictograph panels and archaeological sites
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G within park

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- Wilderness Act penalties for motorized equipment violations
- ARPA fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment for rock art disturbance
- NHPA penalties for prehistoric rock art site disturbance
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required (extremely limited approvals)
- Archaeological research with NPS + SHPO + ARPA federal permit
- All access requires self-sufficiency; no rescue guarantees in Maze
Submit requests to: Canyonlands NP Superintendent,
2282 SW Resource Blvd, Moab, UT 84532

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

## Geographic Boundaries
Okefenokee NWR is located in Ware, Charlton, and Clinch Counties,
Georgia, and Baker County, Florida.
- Total area: ~402,000 acres
- Coordinates: 30.7500° N, 82.3333° W
- Includes Okefenokee Wilderness (~353,981 acres), Suwannee River
  headwaters, and Stephen C. Foster State Park buffer
- Largest blackwater swamp in North America
- Nearest city: Waycross, GA (~10 miles north — Folkston entrance)

## Regulations
- USFWS Refuge UAS Policy prohibits all UAS without Special Use Permit
- 50 CFR § 27.34 — USFWS motorized equipment prohibition on refuges
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — Okefenokee Wilderness
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — protects sandhill
  cranes, wood storks, and neotropical migrants
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — red-cockaded
  woodpecker and indigo snake habitat protections
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G within refuge

## Penalties
- USFWS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 50 CFR § 27.34
- Wilderness Act penalties for motorized equipment in wilderness zones
- MBTA fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per bird disturbance
- ESA Section 9 "take" penalties 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 USFWS officers

## Special Permissions
- USFWS Special Use Permit for scientific wildlife research
- ESA Section 10 Incidental Take Permit for listed species research
- Wilderness permit required for swamp interior operations
Submit requests to: Okefenokee NWR Manager,
4700 Okefenokee Drive, Folkston, GA 31537

## Drone Rules - Wrangell-St. Elias National Park






**Drone flights are banned** in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.










### Key Rules
- No recreational drone flights within the park
- Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit
- The largest US national park (larger than Switzerland) protects massive glaciers, Dall sheep, and remote wilderness











### Source
- Wrangell-St. Elias NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/rules.htm

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- Wilderness: ❌ Wrangell-St. Elias Wilderness absolute motorized ban
- UNESCO WHC: ⚠️ Kluane/Wrangell-St. Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatshenshini
  transboundary World Heritage Site

## Geographic Boundaries
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is located in Copper
River, Valdez-Cordova, and Southeast Fairbanks Census Areas, Alaska.
- Total area: ~13,175,901 acres (largest U.S. national park)
- Coordinates: 61.7106° N, 142.9856° W
- Includes Mount St. Elias (18,008 ft MSL — second highest peak in U.S.),
  Bagley Icefield, Malaspina Glacier (largest piedmont glacier in North America),
  and Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark
- International border with Canada (Yukon Territory)
- Nearest city: Glennallen, AK (~7 miles from park boundary)

## 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
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — ~9.1 million acres of
  designated wilderness within park
- Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA,
  16 U.S.C. § 3101) — governs subsistence access and resource
  management in Alaska NPS units
- National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) —
  Kennecott Mines NHL protections
- International border proximity — CBP coordination required
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class E above 1,200 ft AGL; surface Class G within park

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- Wilderness Act penalties for motorized equipment violations
- ANILCA subsistence zone violation penalties
- NHPA penalties for Kennecott NHS disturbance
- CBP penalties for unauthorized border zone operations
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- Scientific/glaciological research with NPS + USGS approval
- Mountaineering operations require separate NPS climbing permit
- ANILCA subsistence research requires tribal coordination
Submit requests to: Wrangell-St. Elias NP Superintendent,
Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway, PO Box 439, Copper Center, AK 99573

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- Marine Sanctuary: ⚠️ Channel Islands NMS overlay adds NOAA restrictions
- ESA species: ⚠️ Island fox and seabird colony heightened enforcement

## Geographic Boundaries
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five islands off the
coast of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, California.
- Total area: ~249,561 acres (land + submerged)
- Coordinates: 33.9833° N, 119.7833° W
- Islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, Santa Barbara
- Overlaps Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (1,470 sq miles)
- Nearest city: Ventura, CA (~14 miles from Anacapa Island)

## 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
- Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary regulations
  (15 CFR Part 922, Subpart L) — NOAA prohibits UAS over sanctuary
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — protects Scripps's
  murrelet, Ashy storm-petrel, and other seabird colonies
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Island fox
  (Urocyon littoralis) listed as threatened on multiple islands
- Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 1361) — California sea
  lion and harbor seal haul-out and pupping sites
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G within park

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- NOAA/NMS civil penalties up to $100,000 per day per violation
- MBTA fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per seabird disturbance
- ESA Section 9 Island fox "take": up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment
- MMPA violations: civil fines up to $10,000 per marine mammal
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers and/or NOAA officers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit + NOAA NMS permit required
- ESA Section 10 Incidental Take Permit for Island fox zone research
- MBTA Scientific Collecting Permit for seabird colony research
- Marine mammal research requires MMPA Letter of Authorization
Submit requests to: Channel Islands NP Superintendent,
1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001

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

## Geographic Boundaries
San Pedro Parks Wilderness is located in Rio Arriba and Sandoval
Counties, New Mexico, within Santa Fe National Forest.
- Total area: ~41,132 acres
- Coordinates: 36.2833° N, 106.8500° W
- Includes San Pedro Parks high plateau (~10,000 ft MSL),
  old-growth Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir forest,
  and headwaters of the Río Cebolla and Río de las Vacas
- Nearest city: Cuba, NM (~15 miles southwest)

## Regulations
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — absolute prohibition on all
  motorized equipment including UAS
- 36 CFR § 261.10 — USFS prohibition on motorized equipment
- 36 CFR § 251.50 — USFS Special Use Permit requirements
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — protects Mexican
  spotted owl and other sensitive species in old-growth habitat
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G within wilderness

## Penalties
- Wilderness Act violations: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months imprisonment
- USFS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 36 CFR § 261.10
- 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 USFS rangers

## Special Permissions
- USFS Wilderness research permit from Cuba Ranger District
- Wildlife research requires additional USFWS MBTA coordination
Submit requests to: USFS Cuba Ranger District,
PO Box 130, Cuba, NM 87013

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without USFWS Special Use Permit
- Peak season: ⚠️ Heightened MBTA enforcement March–November

## Geographic Boundaries
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is located in Box Elder County,
Utah, at the northeastern end of Great Salt Lake.
- Total area: ~74,000 acres
- Coordinates: 41.4667° N, 112.2000° W
- Includes Bear River delta wetlands, marshes, open water impoundments,
  and upland grasslands
- Up to 2 million birds during peak spring/fall migration
- Nearest city: Brigham City, UT (~15 miles southeast)

## Regulations
- USFWS Refuge UAS Policy prohibits all UAS without Special Use Permit
- 50 CFR § 27.34 — USFWS motorized equipment prohibition on refuges
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — highest-density
  migratory bird concentration in Intermountain West; any UAS
  disturbance constitutes federal violation
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — snowy plover and
  other ESA-listed species use refuge seasonally
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G within refuge

## Penalties
- USFWS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 50 CFR § 27.34
- MBTA fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment per disturbance
- ESA Section 9 "take" penalties 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 USFWS officers

## Special Permissions
- USFWS Special Use Permit for scientific wildlife research
- MBTA Scientific Collecting Permit for bird banding/research
- Seasonal blackout periods during peak migration (March–May, Aug–Nov)
Submit requests to: Bear River MBR Manager,
2155 West Forest Street, Brigham City, UT 84302

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without USFS Special Use Permit

## Geographic Boundaries
Newberry National Volcanic Monument is located in Deschutes County,
Oregon, within Deschutes National Forest.
- Total area: ~54,822 acres
- Coordinates: 43.7167° N, 121.2333° W
- Includes Newberry Caldera, Paulina Lake, East Lake, Big Obsidian Flow
  (largest obsidian flow in the U.S.), and Lava River Cave
- Nearest city: Bend, OR (~23 miles north)

## Regulations
- 36 CFR § 261.10 — USFS prohibition on motorized equipment
- 36 CFR § 251.50 — USFS Special Use Permit requirements
- Newberry National Volcanic Monument Act (Pub. L. 101-522) —
  specific enabling legislation with geological resource protections
- Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aaa) —
  protects volcanic geological and fossil resources
- Cave Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 4301) — Lava River Cave
  and other lava tube systems
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G within monument

## Penalties
- USFS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 36 CFR § 261.10
- PRPA fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment for geological disturbance
- CRPA fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment for cave zone violations
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by USFS rangers

## Special Permissions
- USFS Special Use Permit from Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District
- Volcanological/geological research with USFS + PRPA permit
- Cave research requires additional CRPA federal authorization
Submit requests to: USFS Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District,
63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, OR 97701

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without USFS Special Use Permit
- Wilderness Layer: ⚠️ Wilderness Act 16 U.S.C. § 1131 — motorized prohibition
- Military/Nuclear Layer: ⚠️ Kirtland AFB and Sandia Base immediately west —
  DoD/DoE restricted airspace; any westward drift = federal criminal matter
- ESA Layer: ⚠️ Mexican spotted owl critical habitat — ESA Section 9 active

## Geographic Boundaries
Manzano Mountains Wilderness is located in Bernalillo, Torrance, and Valencia
Counties, New Mexico, administered by the Cibola National Forest, USFS.
- Total area: ~36,875 acres
- Coordinates: 34.6500° N, 106.3900° W
- Nearest city: Albuquerque, NM (~25 miles northwest); Belen, NM (~20 miles west)
- Terrain: Manzano Mountains crest (Manzano Peak 10,098 ft MSL), mixed conifer
  and ponderosa pine forest, oak woodland, limestone outcrops, canyon systems
- Western boundary lies approximately 3–8 miles east of Kirtland AFB
  and Sandia Base (DoE nuclear weapons storage facility)
- Kirtland AFB restricted airspace (R-5111 and associated areas) begins
  immediately west of wilderness boundary
- Albuquerque Class C airspace (ABQ) overlaps northwestern wilderness corner
- Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) — federally threatened;
  active nesting documented throughout old-growth canyon zones
- Designated wilderness 1978 (P.L. 95-237)
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G;
  R-5111 Kirtland restricted area immediately adjacent to west

## Regulations
- 36 CFR § 261.10 — prohibits unauthorized aircraft use in National Forest
  wilderness
- 36 CFR § 251.50 — Special Use authorization requirements
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — prohibits all mechanized and motorized
  equipment; drone operations violate wilderness character mandate
- 14 CFR § 73.3 — Kirtland AFB restricted airspace R-5111; any incursion
  constitutes federal criminal violation regardless of intent
- DoE/NNSA security protocols — Sandia Base nuclear facility proximity;
  unauthorized UAS within visual range of facility perimeter triggers
  federal security response under 18 U.S.C. § 1030
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) Section 9 — Mexican spotted
  owl nesting disturbance = take; active nest site buffers (0.5-mile radius)
  enforced by USFS throughout wilderness
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — northern goshawk,
  golden eagle, and peregrine falcon nesting documented
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) — Ancestral
  Puebloan seasonal use sites and historic Tijeras Pueblo proximity
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Albuquerque Class C overlap (NW corner) — LAANC authorization required
  for any permitted operation in northwestern wilderness sections

## Penalties
- USFS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 36 CFR § 261.10
- Wilderness Act violations: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months imprisonment
- R-5111 Kirtland incursion: federal criminal charges under 49 U.S.C. § 46307
  + potential DoD/DoE security enforcement; no civilian exemptions
- DoE/NNSA nuclear facility proximity: federal criminal charges under
  18 U.S.C. § 1030 for unauthorized approach
- ESA Section 9 (spotted owl): civil penalties up to $25,000;
  criminal penalties up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment
- MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment
- ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
- FAA Class C violation (NW corner): civil penalties up to $27,500/day
- Equipment confiscation by USFS rangers; potential DoD seizure

## Special Permissions
- USFS Special Use Permit required; applicant must demonstrate awareness
  of R-5111 and Sandia Base proximity in all permit applications
- DoD coordination with Kirtland AFB Airfield Management required before
  any permit issued for operations within 5 miles of western boundary
- ESA Section 7 biological assessment required for any permit near
  documented spotted owl nest sites
- LAANC authorization required for northwestern wilderness corner
  operations (Albuquerque Class C overlap)
- Mandatory NOTAM check: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.jsp
Submit requests to: Cibola National Forest — Mountainair Ranger District,
40 Ranger Station Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Kirtland AFB Airfield Management: 377 ABW/ATCT,
2000 Wyoming Blvd SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without USFS Special Use Permit

## Geographic Boundaries
Newberry National Volcanic Monument is located in Deschutes County,
Oregon, within Deschutes National Forest.
- Total area: ~54,822 acres
- Coordinates: 43.7167° N, 121.2333° W
- Includes Newberry Caldera, Paulina Lake, East Lake, Big Obsidian Flow
  (largest obsidian flow in the U.S.), and Lava River Cave
- Nearest city: Bend, OR (~23 miles north)

## Regulations
- 36 CFR § 261.10 — USFS prohibition on motorized equipment
- 36 CFR § 251.50 — USFS Special Use Permit requirements
- Newberry National Volcanic Monument Act (Pub. L. 101-522) —
  specific enabling legislation with geological resource protections
- Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aaa) —
  protects volcanic geological and fossil resources
- Cave Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 4301) — Lava River Cave
  and other lava tube systems
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G within monument

## Penalties
- USFS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 36 CFR § 261.10
- PRPA fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment for geological disturbance
- CRPA fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment for cave zone violations
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by USFS rangers

## Special Permissions
- USFS Special Use Permit from Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District
- Volcanological/geological research with USFS + PRPA permit
- Cave research requires additional CRPA federal authorization
Submit requests to: USFS Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District,
63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, OR 97701

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without USFWS Special Use Permit
- Wildlife Layer: ⚠️ MBTA + BGEPA active — peak 20,000+ waterfowl;
  wintering bald eagle concentration
- Airspace Note: ⚠️ Proximity to Cimarron Municipal Airport (~12 miles
  northwest) — verify Class E surface extension applicability

## Geographic Boundaries
Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge is located in Colfax County, New Mexico,
administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
- Total area: ~3,699 acres
- Coordinates: 36.5400° N, 104.5800° W
- Nearest city: Maxwell, NM (~2 miles east); Springer, NM (~12 miles south)
- Terrain: three managed impoundment lakes (Lakes 13, 14, and McCulloch),
  shortgrass prairie uplands, wetland marshes, Cimarron River floodplain
- Peak waterfowl: 20,000+ ducks (mallard, pintail, teal, wigeon) and geese
  during fall migration (September–November)
- Wintering bald eagle population: 15–30 individuals documented
  December–February
- Sandhill crane staging: 5,000–8,000 birds during October–November
- Lesser prairie chicken (ESA threatened) documented on upland units
- Cimarron Municipal Airport (~12 miles NW) — verify Class E applicability
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G within refuge

## Regulations
- 50 CFR § 27.34 — Prohibits use of aircraft and drones within
  National Wildlife Refuges
- USFWS UAS Policy — blanket prohibition on all unmanned aircraft
  within refuge boundaries
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — 20,000+ waterfowl
  and crane staging; drone harassment constitutes federal offense
- Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 668) — wintering
  bald eagle concentration; any disturbance = federal violation
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) Section 9 — lesser prairie
  chicken documented on upland units; ESA Section 9 take prohibition
  active during March–June lekking season
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish — NMAC 19.31 concurrent
  state wildlife harassment layer
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide

## Penalties
- USFWS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 50 CFR § 27.34
- MBTA criminal penalties: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment
  per migratory bird disturbance incident
- BGEPA violations: fines up to $100,000 + 2 years imprisonment
  (second offense) for eagle disturbance
- ESA Section 9 (lesser prairie chicken): civil penalties up to $25,000;
  criminal penalties up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment
- NMDGF harassment: up to $1,000 per violation under NMAC 19.31
- 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 refuge officers

## Special Permissions
- USFWS Special Use Permit required; ESA Section 7 biological assessment
  required for any permit during March–June (lesser prairie chicken season)
- MBTA scientific banding/research permit required for waterfowl
  survey operations
- All permitted operations must be coordinated with refuge biologist
  to avoid eagle disturbance windows (December–February)
Submit requests to: Maxwell NWR Refuge Manager,
c/o Las Vegas NWR, Route 1 Box 399, Las Vegas, NM 87701

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without BLM Special Recreation Permit
- WSAs: ⚠️ Wilderness Study Areas with de facto Wilderness Act protection

## Geographic Boundaries
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is located in Garfield
and Kane Counties, Utah, on the Colorado Plateau.
- Total area: ~1,870,800 acres (restored 2021 boundary)
- Coordinates: 37.3833° N, 111.4167° W
- Includes Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits Plateau, Canyons of the
  Escalante, and Paria River corridor
- Multiple Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) within boundaries
- Nearest city: Escalante, UT (~center of monument); Kanab, UT (~south)

## Regulations
- BLM Utah State Office UAS Policy prohibits recreational UAS
- 43 CFR § 8372.0-7 — BLM motorized equipment regulations
- Wilderness Study Area interim management — WSAs managed under
  de facto Wilderness Act standards pending Congressional designation
- Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aaa) —
  Kaiparowits Plateau contains significant Cretaceous fossil deposits
- Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — Escalante River
  corridor protections
- Presidential Proclamation 9682 (2017) / 10286 (2021) —
  monument boundary modifications
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G within monument

## Penalties
- BLM fines up to $1,000 per violation under 43 CFR § 8360.0-7
- WSA interim management violation penalties
- PRPA fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment for fossil disturbance
- WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by BLM rangers

## Special Permissions
- BLM Special Recreation Permit from Escalante Interagency Visitor Center
- Paleontological research with BLM + PRPA federal research permit
- WSR corridor operations require additional BLM review
Submit requests to: BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante NM,
669 South Highway 89A, Kanab, UT 84741

## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without USFWS Special Use Permit
- ESA Species: ⚠️ Louisiana black bear habitat — heightened enforcement

## Geographic Boundaries
Tensas River NWR is located in Tensas and Madison Parishes, Louisiana,
in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley.
- Total area: ~70,442 acres
- Coordinates: 32.1333° N, 91.2167° W
- Includes bottomland hardwood forest, oxbow lakes, and Tensas River
  floodplain corridor
- Nearest city: Tallulah, LA (~20 miles northeast)

## Regulations
- USFWS Refuge UAS Policy prohibits all UAS without Special Use Permit
- 50 CFR § 27.34 — USFWS motorized equipment prohibition on refuges
- Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Louisiana black bear
  (Ursus americanus luteolus) recovery habitat; UAS disturbance
  constitutes "harassment" under ESA Section 9
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — protects neotropical
  migratory songbirds using bottomland corridor
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
- Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G within refuge

## Penalties
- USFWS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 50 CFR § 27.34
- ESA Section 9 "take" violation: civil fines up to $25,000 +
  criminal penalties up to $50,000 + 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 USFWS officers

## Special Permissions
- USFWS Special Use Permit for scientific wildlife research
- ESA Section 10 Incidental Take Permit for bear-zone research
- Seasonal blackout periods during bear denning (November–March)
Submit requests to: Tensas River NWR Manager,
2312 Quebec Road, Tallulah, LA 71282