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Drone Rules for Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Roswell, New Mexico (nm) • United States
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 4200 E Pine Lodge Rd, Roswell, NM 88201, USA
Lat: 33.4561 • Lng: -104.402
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 27, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge under U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service regulations, controlled by USFWS. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit from the refuge manager. Bitter Lake contains the highest concentration of ende

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without USFWS Special Use Permit
  • ESA Layer: ⚠️ 43 endemic species — among the highest ESA-protected invertebrate concentrations at any single USFWS site in the U.S.
  • Karst Layer: ⚠️ Sinkholes and dissolution lakes — geologically fragile; drone vibration and prop wash threaten endemic aquatic ecosystems
  • Airspace Note: ⚠️ Proximity to Roswell International Air Center (~8 miles northwest) — Class E surface extension may apply; verify with FAA

Geographic Boundaries

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in Chaves County, New Mexico, administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

  • Total area: ~24,526 acres
  • Coordinates: 33.4980° N, 104.3730° W
  • Nearest city: Roswell, NM (~8 miles northwest)
  • Terrain: Pecos River floodplain, gypsum karst dissolution lakes (sinkholes), saltgrass and alkali sacaton marshes, Chihuahuan Desert uplands
  • Contains 43 endemic aquatic invertebrate species found nowhere else on Earth, including 12 species of fairy shrimp, 8 species of diving beetles, and multiple endemic ostracods and amphipods
  • Critical wintering habitat for sandhill cranes (15,000–20,000 birds), snow geese, and 300+ bird species documented
  • Roswell International Air Center (~8 miles NW) — verify Class E surface airspace applicability before any permitted operation
  • Airspace: Class E surface extension possible; Class G at surface within refuge pending FAA chart verification

Regulations

  • 50 CFR § 27.34 — Prohibits use of aircraft and drones within National Wildlife Refuges
  • USFWS UAS Policy — blanket prohibition on all unmanned aircraft within refuge boundaries
  • Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) Section 9 — 43 endemic invertebrate species; prop wash disturbance of sinkhole lake surfaces constitutes potential take of listed species
  • Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — 300+ bird species; sandhill crane and waterfowl wintering concentrations
  • Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 668) — bald eagle winter presence documented
  • Cave and Karst Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 4301) — karst dissolution features (sinkholes) qualify as cave/karst resources
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
  • Roswell International Air Center proximity — verify Class E surface extension applicability: https://faa.maps.arcgis.com

Penalties

  • USFWS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 50 CFR § 27.34
  • ESA Section 9 endemic invertebrate violations: civil penalties up to $25,000; criminal penalties up to $50,000 + 1 year imprisonment
  • MBTA criminal penalties: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment
  • BGEPA violations: fines up to $100,000 + 2 years imprisonment (second offense)
  • CRPA karst violations: fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment
  • FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
  • Criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 32 for willful violations
  • Equipment confiscation by USFWS refuge officers

Special Permissions

  • USFWS Special Use Permit required; ESA Section 7 biological assessment mandatory given 43 endemic species — most complex ESA review of any NWR permit in New Mexico
  • CRPA karst research permit required for any operation over sinkhole lakes
  • FAA airspace verification required before permit issuance given Roswell airport proximity
  • All permitted operations must be escorted by refuge biologist Submit requests to: Bitter Lake NWR Refuge Manager, 4065 Bitter Lake Road, Roswell, NM 88201
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Rule sources
  • https://www.fws.gov/media/unmanned-aircraft-systems-uas-policy — USFWS regulations under 50 CFR § 27.34, ESA Section 9 protections for 43 endemic aquatic invertebrate species (16 U.S.C. § 1531), CRPA karst sinkhole protections (16 U.S.C. § 4301), MBTA waterfowl and crane protections (16 U.S.C. § 703), and BGEPA eagle protections ban all unauthorized drone operations at Bitter Lake NWR, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
  • https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-107 — USFWS regulations under 50 CFR § 27.34, ESA Section 9 protections for 43 endemic aquatic invertebrate species (16 U.S.C. § 1531), CRPA karst sinkhole protections (16 U.S.C. § 4301), MBTA waterfowl and crane protections (16 U.S.C. § 703), and BGEPA eagle protections ban all unauthorized drone operations at Bitter Lake NWR, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
  • https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uaspolicy.htm — USFWS regulations under 50 CFR § 27.34, ESA Section 9 protections for 43 endemic aquatic invertebrate species (16 U.S.C. § 1531), CRPA karst sinkhole protections (16 U.S.C. § 4301), MBTA waterfowl and crane protections (16 U.S.C. § 703), and BGEPA eagle protections ban all unauthorized drone operations at Bitter Lake NWR, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
  • https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad — USFWS regulations under 50 CFR § 27.34, ESA Section 9 protections for 43 endemic aquatic invertebrate species (16 U.S.C. § 1531), CRPA karst sinkhole protections (16 U.S.C. § 4301), MBTA waterfowl and crane protections (16 U.S.C. § 703), and BGEPA eagle protections ban all unauthorized drone operations at Bitter Lake NWR, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
  • https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-27/section-27.34 — USFWS regulations under 50 CFR § 27.34, ESA Section 9 protections for 43 endemic aquatic invertebrate species (16 U.S.C. § 1531), CRPA karst sinkhole protections (16 U.S.C. § 4301), MBTA waterfowl and crane protections (16 U.S.C. § 703), and BGEPA eagle protections ban all unauthorized drone operations at Bitter Lake NWR, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
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