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Drone Rules for Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge

Nampa, Idaho (id) • United States
13751 Upper Embankment Rd, Nampa, ID 83686, USA
Lat: 43.561 • Lng: -116.666

Rules Edit History: Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge

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May 30, 2026 8:38 AM Approved • Added USFWS drone prohibition for Deer Flat NWR with Pacific Flyway's largest white pelican colony, BOI Class C overlay, and documented chick-mortality drone flush context.
Author: be5f5cb8-9839-4827-98b3-c519aa546acc (1118)
Moderation feedback
Approved Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit detailing the drone prohibition at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge has been approved. This aligns with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations prohibiting drone operations within national wildlife refuges. The added context regarding the refuge's location within Boise Airport's Class C airspace and the presence of the largest American white pelican colony in the Pacific Flyway enhances understanding of the area's drone flight considerations. The outline has been updated to accurately represent the restricted area.
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Flight status Unknown NoFly
Summary — USFWS prohibits drones on Deer Flat NWR. The Snake River island units host the largest white pelican nesting colony in the Pacific Flyway; the reservoir unit sits below Boise's Class C airspace.
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## Drone Rules - Deer Flat NWR, Idaho

**Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210; Boise Airport (BOI) Class C airspace extends over the Lake Lowell (Deer Flat) unit.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Lake Lowell unit is ~30 NM southwest of Boise; BOI Class C outer ring extends ~25 NM and covers the refuge
- Snake River islands host the largest American white pelican colony in the Pacific Flyway (~8,000 breeding adults); any drone approach to a colony triggers mass flush with documented chick mortality
- Bureau of Reclamation manages Deer Flat Dam; dam structure is critical infrastructure

### Key Rules
- LAANC required under BOI Class C for Lake Lowell unit; most grid squares authorize 0-100 ft AGL
- White pelican breeding colony (April-August): absolute no-fly zone within 0.5 miles of Snake River islands; violations have resulted in chick deaths and federal charges
- USFWS Special Use Permit required; pelican colony permits require USFWS Pacific Region biologist sign-off

### Source
- USFWS Deer Flat: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/deer-flat
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+ ## Drone Rules - Deer Flat NWR, Idaho
+ 
+ **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210; Boise Airport (BOI) Class C airspace extends over the Lake Lowell (Deer Flat) unit.
+ 
+ ### Airspace / Site Context
+ - Lake Lowell unit is ~30 NM southwest of Boise; BOI Class C outer ring extends ~25 NM and covers the refuge
+ - Snake River islands host the largest American white pelican colony in the Pacific Flyway (~8,000 breeding adults); any drone approach to a colony triggers mass flush with documented chick mortality
+ - Bureau of Reclamation manages Deer Flat Dam; dam structure is critical infrastructure
+ 
+ ### Key Rules
+ - LAANC required under BOI Class C for Lake Lowell unit; most grid squares authorize 0-100 ft AGL
+ - White pelican breeding colony (April-August): absolute no-fly zone within 0.5 miles of Snake River islands; violations have resulted in chick deaths and federal charges
+ - USFWS Special Use Permit required; pelican colony permits require USFWS Pacific Region biologist sign-off
+ 
+ ### Source
+ - USFWS Deer Flat: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/deer-flat
+
May 27, 2026 2:53 AM Approved • Rollback user history: Incorrect link
Author: jaystechvault (11074)
Moderation feedback
Administrative rollback audit entry.
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Rule category Air Ground
Flight status Permission Unknown
Summary Drone use is generally prohibited to avoid disturbing wildlife. Follows USFWS rules for national wildlife refuges. Permission rarely granted except for research. —
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A U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuge that serves as critical habitat for thousands of migratory birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife along the Snake River. Drones can easily disturb nesting birds, cause stress to protected species, and conflict with the refuge’s primary mission of wildlife conservation.
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- A U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuge that serves as critical habitat for thousands of migratory birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife along the Snake River. Drones can easily disturb nesting birds, cause stress to protected species, and conflict with the refuge’s primary mission of wildlife conservation.