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Drone Rules for Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
Stevensville, Montana (MT)
• United States
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters/Visitor Center, 4567 Wild Fowl Ln, Stevensville, MT 59870, USA
Lat: 46.5605 • Lng: -114.08
Rules Edit History: Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
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May 30, 2026 8:39 AM
Approved
• Added USFWS drone prohibition for Lee Metcalf NWR with MSO Class C proximity, osprey nesting platform buffer, and Bald Eagle Protection Act context.
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Approved
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Your proposed edit detailing the drone prohibition at Lee Metcalf 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 within Missoula International Airport's Class C airspace, the presence of osprey nesting platforms requiring a 100-meter no-approach buffer, and the applicability of 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 Lee Metcalf NWR. The Bitterroot Valley refuge protects osprey nesting habitat in the Bitterroot River corridor adjacent to Missoula's Class C airspace. |
| Mapped shapes | — | 5dea36e8-bc78-45f9-aaff-f1c60eebe2a1 |
Before
After
## Drone Rules - Lee Metcalf NWR, Montana **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210. ### Airspace / Site Context - Located in Ravalli County, ~30 NM south of Missoula; Missoula International (MSO) Class C outer ring extends ~20 NM south and may reach the refuge - Osprey nesting platforms on the Bitterroot River are active April-August; 100-meter no-approach buffer required under USFWS policy - Bald eagle pairs nest in the large cottonwoods; Bald Eagle Protection Act applies ### Key Rules - LAANC check for MSO Class C outer ring before flights in Ravalli County - Osprey nesting season (April-August): 100-meter (330 ft) lateral buffer from nest platforms; drone shadow triggers disturbance response even beyond 100 meters - USFWS Special Use Permit required; research permits go to USFWS Mountain-Prairie Region ### Source - USFWS Lee Metcalf: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/lee-metcalf
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+ ## Drone Rules - Lee Metcalf NWR, Montana + + **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210. + + ### Airspace / Site Context + - Located in Ravalli County, ~30 NM south of Missoula; Missoula International (MSO) Class C outer ring extends ~20 NM south and may reach the refuge + - Osprey nesting platforms on the Bitterroot River are active April-August; 100-meter no-approach buffer required under USFWS policy + - Bald eagle pairs nest in the large cottonwoods; Bald Eagle Protection Act applies + + ### Key Rules + - LAANC check for MSO Class C outer ring before flights in Ravalli County + - Osprey nesting season (April-August): 100-meter (330 ft) lateral buffer from nest platforms; drone shadow triggers disturbance response even beyond 100 meters + - USFWS Special Use Permit required; research permits go to USFWS Mountain-Prairie Region + + ### Source + - USFWS Lee Metcalf: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/lee-metcalf +