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Drone Rules for Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Cambridge, Maryland (MD)
• United States
3185 Key Wallace Dr, Cambridge, MD 21613, USA
Lat: 38.4451 • Lng: -76.0737
Rules Edit History: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
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Old outline is gray. New outline is blue.
May 30, 2026 7:16 AM
Approved
• Added USFWS drone prohibition for Blackwater NWR with 200-bald-eagle winter roost, Bald Eagle Protection Act, and Delmarva fox squirrel ESA context.
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Approved
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Your proposed edit detailing drone regulations at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, including the USFWS prohibition, bald eagle winter roosts, and Delmarva fox squirrel habitat, has been approved. This aligns with USFWS regulations prohibiting drone operations within the refuge. The added context enhances understanding of the area's drone flight considerations. The outline has been updated to accurately represent the restricted area.
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| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Flight status | Unknown | NoFly |
| Summary | — | USFWS prohibits drones on Blackwater NWR. The Chesapeake Bay tidal marsh refuge is one of the largest wintering areas for bald eagles on the East Coast and protects the Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel. |
| Mapped shapes | — | 1bd3664e-09f3-4918-81f9-cc377a0b5bff |
Before
After
## Drone Rules - Blackwater NWR, Maryland **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210. ### Airspace / Site Context - Up to 200 bald eagles winter on the refuge; drone noise during early morning roost departures causes documented roost abandonment - Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel (ESA threatened) occupies the forest edges -- ground disturbance rules extend to UAS overflights - Easton Airport (ESN) Class D is ~10 NM northeast; local airspace is Class G/E ### Key Rules - Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act adds a second layer of federal protection beyond ESA for eagle disturbance - USFWS Special Use Permit required for research UAS; permits are rarely granted during Nov-Feb eagle season - The Wildlife Drive (auto tour route) borders tidal marsh; launching from the drive is a federal refuge violation ### Source - USFWS Blackwater: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater
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+ ## Drone Rules - Blackwater NWR, Maryland + + **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210. + + ### Airspace / Site Context + - Up to 200 bald eagles winter on the refuge; drone noise during early morning roost departures causes documented roost abandonment + - Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel (ESA threatened) occupies the forest edges -- ground disturbance rules extend to UAS overflights + - Easton Airport (ESN) Class D is ~10 NM northeast; local airspace is Class G/E + + ### Key Rules + - Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act adds a second layer of federal protection beyond ESA for eagle disturbance + - USFWS Special Use Permit required for research UAS; permits are rarely granted during Nov-Feb eagle season + - The Wildlife Drive (auto tour route) borders tidal marsh; launching from the drive is a federal refuge violation + + ### Source + - USFWS Blackwater: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater +