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Drone Rules for Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
Wells, Maine (ME)
• United States
321 Port Rd, Wells, ME 04090, USA
Lat: 43.3475 • Lng: -70.5482
Rules Edit History: Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
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Old outline is gray. New outline is blue.
May 30, 2026 8:47 AM
Approved
• Added USFWS drone prohibition for Rachel Carson NWR with 50-mile Maine coastline context and Piping Plover ESA nesting restrictions.
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Approved
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Your proposed edit detailing the drone prohibition at Rachel Carson 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 along the 50-mile Maine coastline and the presence of Piping Plover nesting sites 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 | — | Rachel Carson NWR prohibits all drone operations under USFWS Director's Order 210. The refuge protects 50 miles of Maine coastline and estuarine habitat critical for Piping Plover and Least Tern nesting. |
| Mapped shapes | — | 2238cce6-a70d-4119-bae0-4cd0f2eb8e0b |
Before
After
## Drone Rules - Rachel Carson NWR **All UAS operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015). Special Use Permit required for any exception. ### Airspace / Site Context - Portland International Jetport (KPWM) Class C airspace lies ~20 miles NE of headquarters - Refuge consists of 11 noncontiguous units along the southern Maine coast - Encompasses salt marshes, barrier beaches, and upland areas totaling 14,600 acres - ESA-listed Piping Plover nests on refuge beaches April-August ### Key Rules - No drone launches or landings anywhere within refuge boundaries - Piping Plover and Least Tern nesting colonies have strict April-August buffer zones - Atlantic Salmon (ESA endangered) rivers adjacent to refuge units - Maine state law independently prohibits drone harassment of wildlife ### Source - USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rachel-carson
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+ ## Drone Rules - Rachel Carson NWR + + **All UAS operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015). Special Use Permit required for any exception. + + ### Airspace / Site Context + - Portland International Jetport (KPWM) Class C airspace lies ~20 miles NE of headquarters + - Refuge consists of 11 noncontiguous units along the southern Maine coast + - Encompasses salt marshes, barrier beaches, and upland areas totaling 14,600 acres + - ESA-listed Piping Plover nests on refuge beaches April-August + + ### Key Rules + - No drone launches or landings anywhere within refuge boundaries + - Piping Plover and Least Tern nesting colonies have strict April-August buffer zones + - Atlantic Salmon (ESA endangered) rivers adjacent to refuge units + - Maine state law independently prohibits drone harassment of wildlife + + ### Source + - USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rachel-carson +