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Drone Rules for Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Lima, Montana (mt) • United States
27650B S Valley Rd, Lima, MT 59739, USA
Lat: 44.5999 • Lng: -111.812

Rules Edit History: Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

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May 30, 2026 7:37 AM Approved • Added USFWS drone prohibition for Red Rock Lakes NWR with trumpeter swan extinction-rescue legacy, Wilderness designation, and nesting-season abandonment risk context.
Author: be5f5cb8-9839-4827-98b3-c519aa546acc (1118)
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Approved Confidence: 0.90
Your proposed edit detailing drone regulations at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, including the USFWS prohibition, trumpeter swan conservation history, Wilderness designation, and nesting-season abandonment risk context, 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 Red Rock Lakes NWR. The refuge saved the trumpeter swan from extinction; nesting swans remain sensitive to disturbance and the refuge is a model conservation site.
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## Drone Rules - Red Rock Lakes NWR, Montana

**Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210; the Red Rock Lakes Wilderness (40,000 acres) adds a Wilderness Act prohibition.

### Airspace / Site Context
- The refuge is the historic stronghold that pulled trumpeter swans back from near-extinction in the 1930s (fewer than 100 individuals remained)
- Nesting pairs are highly sensitive to aerial disturbance during incubation (April-June); drone flush events cause nest abandonment
- Extremely remote; West Yellowstone (WYS) Class D is ~50 NM east; Dillon (DLN) Class G is ~50 NM west

### Key Rules
- Wilderness designation for the core nesting area provides an independent prohibition beyond USFWS Director's Order 210
- USFWS Special Use Permit required; trumpeter swan research applications are reviewed by the Rocky Mountain Trumpeter Swan Recovery coordinator
- The refuge road (gravel) is open seasonally; wildlife managers monitor for drone activity at the trailheads

### Source
- USFWS Red Rock Lakes: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/red-rock-lakes
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+ ## Drone Rules - Red Rock Lakes NWR, Montana
+ 
+ **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210; the Red Rock Lakes Wilderness (40,000 acres) adds a Wilderness Act prohibition.
+ 
+ ### Airspace / Site Context
+ - The refuge is the historic stronghold that pulled trumpeter swans back from near-extinction in the 1930s (fewer than 100 individuals remained)
+ - Nesting pairs are highly sensitive to aerial disturbance during incubation (April-June); drone flush events cause nest abandonment
+ - Extremely remote; West Yellowstone (WYS) Class D is ~50 NM east; Dillon (DLN) Class G is ~50 NM west
+ 
+ ### Key Rules
+ - Wilderness designation for the core nesting area provides an independent prohibition beyond USFWS Director's Order 210
+ - USFWS Special Use Permit required; trumpeter swan research applications are reviewed by the Rocky Mountain Trumpeter Swan Recovery coordinator
+ - The refuge road (gravel) is open seasonally; wildlife managers monitor for drone activity at the trailheads
+ 
+ ### Source
+ - USFWS Red Rock Lakes: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/red-rock-lakes
+
May 27, 2026 2:53 AM Approved • Rollback user history: Incorrect link
Author: jaystechvault (11074)
Moderation feedback
Administrative rollback audit entry.
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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Field Before After
Rule category Air Ground
Flight status Permission Unknown
Summary Drone use generally prohibited. USFWS rules apply. Permission rarely granted. —
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This remote refuge protects trumpeter swans and other sensitive species. Drone disturbance can impact breeding and survival in this critical habitat.
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- This remote refuge protects trumpeter swans and other sensitive species. Drone disturbance can impact breeding and survival in this critical habitat.