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Drone Rules for Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

Long Beach, Washington (WA) • United States
7112 67th Pl, Long Beach, WA 98631, USA
Lat: 46.3648 • Lng: -123.992
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFWS prohibits drones on Willapa NWR. The estuary complex on Willapa Bay hosts one of the largest remaining stands of old-growth Sitka spruce on the Pacific coast and critical shorebird staging habitat.

Drone Rules - Willapa NWR, Washington

Drones are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210.

Airspace / Site Context

  • 16,000-acre refuge complex including Leadbetter Point, Long Island, and Lewis Unit; one of the largest estuaries on the Pacific Coast
  • Snowy plover (threatened) nests on Leadbetter Point beach April-August; the nesting area is closed to all public access
  • Astoria Regional (AST) Class D is ~25 NM south; Portland (PDX) Class B is ~80 NM south; local airspace is Class G

Key Rules

  • Snowy plover nesting closure (April-August): entire Leadbetter Point is closed to ground and air access; launching a drone from the public access parking is a federal violation
  • Old-growth Sitka spruce on Long Island (accessible by boat only): drone noise disrupts Marbled murrelet nesting (threatened)
  • USFWS Special Use Permit required; plover season research permits go to USFWS Pacific Region

Source

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