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Drone Rules for Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Smyrna, Delaware (DE) • United States
2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, DE 19977, USA
Lat: 39.2584 • Lng: -75.4551
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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Bombay Hook NWR is closed to drone operations under USFWS Director's Order 210. The refuge hosts the largest tidal salt marsh in Delaware and critical stopover habitat for up to 150,000 shorebirds during Atlantic Flyway migration.

Drone Rules - Bombay Hook NWR

All drone launches, landings, and flights are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015). A Special Use Permit is required for any UAS operation.

Airspace / Site Context

  • Dover AFB Class D airspace (KDOV) lies ~12 miles SW; Class D floor 0 ft AGL
  • Dover AFB airspace is active with C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift operations
  • Refuge encompasses 16,251 acres of tidal marsh, pools, and upland
  • Up to 150,000 shorebirds and 70,000 waterfowl use the refuge annually

Key Rules

  • No drone operations without USFWS Special Use Permit
  • Federally threatened Rufa Red Knot (ESA Section 9) nests and forages here
  • Shorebird staging areas have zero-tolerance disturbance policy April-May
  • Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife also enforces state wildlife protection

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