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Drone Rules for Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Basom, New York (NY)
• United States
Casey Rd, Basom, NY 14013, USA
Lat: 43.1128 • Lng: -78.4039
Rules Edit History: Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
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May 30, 2026 8:18 AM
Approved
• Added USFWS drone prohibition for Iroquois NWR with BUF/ROC Class C proximity, 60,000-Canada-goose October staging, and Tonawanda SWA boundary context.
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Approved
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Your proposed edit detailing the drone prohibition at Iroquois 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 proximity to Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) and Rochester Douglas (ROC) Class C airspace, its role as a staging area for up to 60,000 Canada geese in October, and the adjacent Tonawanda State Wildlife Management Area 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 Iroquois NWR. The western New York refuge is the largest state freshwater wetland complex and a primary staging area for Canada geese on the Atlantic Flyway. |
| Mapped shapes | — | c9210478-a241-4f60-96ec-b9fdc87ad80e |
Before
After
## Drone Rules - Iroquois NWR, New York **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210. ### Airspace / Site Context - 10,818-acre refuge in Orleans/Genesee County; up to 60,000 Canada geese stage here in October - Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) Class C is ~35 NM west; Rochester Douglas (ROC) Class C is ~30 NM east - The Tonawanda State Wildlife Management Area (NY DEC, no drones) is adjacent; drone operators must confirm parcel ownership before launch ### Key Rules - BUF and ROC Class C outer rings: LAANC required for flights within ~25 NM of either airport (check B4UFLY for exact grid boundary) - October Canada goose staging is the highest-visitor-use month; USFWS ranger presence is elevated - USFWS Special Use Permit required; research permits go to USFWS Northeast Region ### Source - USFWS Iroquois: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/iroquois
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+ ## Drone Rules - Iroquois NWR, New York + + **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210. + + ### Airspace / Site Context + - 10,818-acre refuge in Orleans/Genesee County; up to 60,000 Canada geese stage here in October + - Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) Class C is ~35 NM west; Rochester Douglas (ROC) Class C is ~30 NM east + - The Tonawanda State Wildlife Management Area (NY DEC, no drones) is adjacent; drone operators must confirm parcel ownership before launch + + ### Key Rules + - BUF and ROC Class C outer rings: LAANC required for flights within ~25 NM of either airport (check B4UFLY for exact grid boundary) + - October Canada goose staging is the highest-visitor-use month; USFWS ranger presence is elevated + - USFWS Special Use Permit required; research permits go to USFWS Northeast Region + + ### Source + - USFWS Iroquois: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/iroquois +