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Drone Rules for Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge

Swan Quarter, North Carolina (NC) • United States
85 Mattamuskeet Rd, Swanquarter, NC 27885, USA
Lat: 35.4513 • Lng: -76.1766

Rules Edit History: Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge

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May 30, 2026 7:32 AM Approved • Added USFWS drone prohibition for Mattamuskeet NWR with 35,000-tundra-swan wintering flock, Bald Eagle Protection Act, and Atlantic Flyway context.
Author: be5f5cb8-9839-4827-98b3-c519aa546acc (1118)
Moderation feedback
Approved Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit detailing drone regulations at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, including the USFWS prohibition, tundra swan wintering, and Bald Eagle Protection Act 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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Summary Drones are prohibited at Mattamuskeet NWR per USFWS regulations. Tundra swan wintering is protected. USFWS prohibits drones on Mattamuskeet NWR. Lake Mattamuskeet is the largest natural lake in North Carolina and the primary wintering site for tundra swans on the Atlantic Flyway.
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## Drone Rules - Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge

**Drone flights are banned** at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge.






### Key Rules
- No recreational drone use within refuge boundaries
- Research use requires a Special Use Permit from the refuge manager
- North Carolina's largest natural lake hosts up to 50,000 tundra swans each winter -- disturbance disrupts their critical staging

### Source
- FWS Refuge Regulations: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/mattamuskeet
After
## Drone Rules - Mattamuskeet NWR, North Carolina

**Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Up to 35,000 tundra swans winter on the lake November-February; flocks in flight create mid-air collision risk for UAS at low altitude
- Bald eagle nests are present along the treeline bordering the lake; the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act adds a second federal prohibition
- Dare County Regional (MQI) is ~40 NM northeast; Kinston Regional (ISO) is ~40 NM west; local airspace is Class G

### Key Rules
- Tundra swan season (Nov-Feb): USFWS enforces zero-tolerance no-drone policy; swan biologist on duty at the lodge
- Launching from Hyde County roads around the lake and overflying refuge is a federal violation
- USFWS Special Use Permit required for research; swan population monitoring studies require specific USFWS-Washington approval

### Source
- USFWS Mattamuskeet: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/mattamuskeet
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+ ### Airspace / Site Context
+ - Up to 35,000 tundra swans winter on the lake November-February; flocks in flight create mid-air collision risk for UAS at low altitude
+ - Bald eagle nests are present along the treeline bordering the lake; the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act adds a second federal prohibition
+ - Dare County Regional (MQI) is ~40 NM northeast; Kinston Regional (ISO) is ~40 NM west; local airspace is Class G
+ 
  ### Key Rules
  
  ### Source
May 29, 2026 4:29 AM Approved • Added USFWS drone ban for Mattamuskeet NWR with 50,000 tundra swan staging context.
Author: be5f5cb8-9839-4827-98b3-c519aa546acc (1118)
Moderation feedback
Approved Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit has been approved. The updated rule now accurately reflects the prohibition of drone operations at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, aligning with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations and the site's status as a significant wintering area for tundra swans.
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Flight status Unknown NoFly
Summary — Drones are prohibited at Mattamuskeet NWR per USFWS regulations. Tundra swan wintering is protected.
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After
## Drone Rules - Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge

**Drone flights are banned** at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge.

### Key Rules
- No recreational drone use within refuge boundaries
- Research use requires a Special Use Permit from the refuge manager
- North Carolina's largest natural lake hosts up to 50,000 tundra swans each winter -- disturbance disrupts their critical staging

### Source
- FWS Refuge Regulations: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/mattamuskeet
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+ ## Drone Rules - Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge
+ 
+ **Drone flights are banned** at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge.
+ 
+ ### Key Rules
+ - No recreational drone use within refuge boundaries
+ - Research use requires a Special Use Permit from the refuge manager
+ - North Carolina's largest natural lake hosts up to 50,000 tundra swans each winter -- disturbance disrupts their critical staging
+ 
+ ### Source
+ - FWS Refuge Regulations: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/mattamuskeet
+