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Drone Rules for Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge
Forest City, Missouri (MO)
• United States
25542 US-159, Forest City, MO 64451, USA
Lat: 40.0691 • Lng: -95.2264
Rules Edit History: Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge
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May 30, 2026 8:06 AM
Approved
• Added USFWS drone prohibition for Loess Bluffs NWR with 400-bald-eagle daily November concentration, 400,000-snow goose staging, and Eagle Protection Act citation context.
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Approved
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Your proposed edit detailing the drone prohibition at Loess Bluffs 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 400-bald-eagle daily November concentration and the Bald Eagle Protection Act 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 Loess Bluffs NWR (formerly Squaw Creek NWR). One of the most spectacular bald eagle concentrations in the lower 48 gathers here in November -- up to 400 eagles in a single day. |
| Mapped shapes | — | 79f390fb-51ab-420a-b568-305c8854f10c |
Before
After
## Drone Rules - Loess Bluffs NWR, Missouri **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210; the eagle congregation makes Bald Eagle Protection Act violations especially probable. ### Airspace / Site Context - Up to 400 bald eagles gather in early November to feed on migrating snow geese (400,000+ snow geese also use the refuge) - St. Joseph International (STJ) Class D is ~30 NM south; Kansas City International (MCI) Class B outer ring does not reach the refuge - The narrow Loess Hills terrain funnels northeast winds; drone flight near the bluffs involves significant wind shear ### Key Rules - November eagle/snow goose concentration: USFWS ranger presence is highest of the year; citations have been issued to drone operators in the parking area - Eagle Protection Act: disturbing 400 roosting eagles in a single flight event creates extraordinary federal penalty exposure - USFWS Special Use Permit required; eagle congregation season applications require USFWS Midwest Region approval ### Source - USFWS Loess Bluffs: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/loess-bluffs
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+ ## Drone Rules - Loess Bluffs NWR, Missouri + + **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210; the eagle congregation makes Bald Eagle Protection Act violations especially probable. + + ### Airspace / Site Context + - Up to 400 bald eagles gather in early November to feed on migrating snow geese (400,000+ snow geese also use the refuge) + - St. Joseph International (STJ) Class D is ~30 NM south; Kansas City International (MCI) Class B outer ring does not reach the refuge + - The narrow Loess Hills terrain funnels northeast winds; drone flight near the bluffs involves significant wind shear + + ### Key Rules + - November eagle/snow goose concentration: USFWS ranger presence is highest of the year; citations have been issued to drone operators in the parking area + - Eagle Protection Act: disturbing 400 roosting eagles in a single flight event creates extraordinary federal penalty exposure + - USFWS Special Use Permit required; eagle congregation season applications require USFWS Midwest Region approval + + ### Source + - USFWS Loess Bluffs: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/loess-bluffs +