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Drone Rules for 404 Watercress Rd

Van Buren, Missouri (MO) • Estados Unidos
404 Watercress Rd, Van Buren, MO 63965, EUA
Lat: 37.0008 • Lng: -91.0162
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 29, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Ozark National Scenic Riverways under NPS regulations, controlled by the National Park Service. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit from the park superintendent. America's first national scenic riverway protects the Curre

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
  • WSR: ⚠️ America's first national scenic riverway (1964)
  • ESA: ⚠️ Ozark Hellbender — critically endangered salamander

Geographic Boundaries

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is located in Carter, Shannon, Dent, and Texas Counties, Missouri, in the Ozark Highlands.

  • Total area: ~80,785 acres
  • River length: ~134 miles (Current + Jacks Fork Rivers)
  • Coordinates: 37.0000° N, 91.2500° W
  • Includes Big Spring (one of largest springs in U.S. — 286 million gallons/day), Alley Spring, Round Spring, and Pulltite Spring
  • Extensive cave systems throughout park boundary
  • Nearest city: Van Buren, MO (headquarters)

Regulations

  • NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
  • 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
  • 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
  • Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — America's first national scenic riverway designation (1964)
  • Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Ozark Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) critically endangered; UAS river disturbance constitutes ESA Section 9 harassment
  • Cave Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 4301) — extensive Ozark cave systems throughout park boundaries
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
  • Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over riverways

Penalties

  • NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
  • WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance
  • ESA Section 9 Hellbender: up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment
  • CRPA cave violations: fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment
  • FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
  • Equipment confiscation by park rangers

Special Permissions

  • NPS Special Use Permit required
  • Hellbender research: ESA Section 10 ITP + USFWS coordination
  • Cave research: CRPA federal authorization required
  • Spring ecosystem research subject to additional NPS review Submit requests to: Ozark NSR Superintendent, 404 Watercress Drive, Van Buren, MO 63965
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Rule sources
  • https://www.nps.gov/ozar/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations within Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Wild & Scenic Rivers Act 1964 designation, ESA Ozark Hellbender critical habitat, and Cave Resources Protection Act spring cave systems add multi-layer federal restrictions.
Parent Rule Pages