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Drone Rules for St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Visitor Center

Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin (WI) • Estados Unidos
401 N Hamilton St, St Croix Falls, WI 54024, EUA
Lat: 45.4162 • Lng: -92.6466
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 29, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway under NPS regulations, controlled by the National Park Service. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit from the park superintendent. One of the original eight rivers protected under the W

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
  • WSR: ⚠️ Original 1968 Wild & Scenic River designation
  • ESA: ⚠️ Higgins Eye Pearly Mussel — endangered freshwater mussel

Geographic Boundaries

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway follows the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers across Burnett, Polk, Washburn, Sawyer, and Douglas Counties (WI) and Pine County (MN).

  • Total area: ~67,000 acres
  • River length: ~252 miles protected corridor
  • Coordinates: 45.4100° N, 92.6400° W
  • Includes Namekagon River, St. Croix River, Interstate State Park area, and Dalles of the St. Croix gorge
  • Nearest city: St. Croix Falls, WI (headquarters)

Regulations

  • NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
  • 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
  • 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
  • Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — one of original 8 rivers designated in 1968 Act; strictest WSR protections
  • Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Higgins Eye Pearly Mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) endangered; riverbed UAS disturbance constitutes ESA Section 9 habitat disruption
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
  • Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over riverway

Penalties

  • NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
  • WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance
  • ESA Section 9 Higgins Eye: up to $25,000 civil + $50,000 criminal + 1 year imprisonment
  • FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
  • Equipment confiscation by park rangers

Special Permissions

  • NPS Special Use Permit required
  • Higgins Eye mussel research: ESA Section 10 ITP + USFWS coordination
  • Multi-state operations require coordination with both WI and MN Submit requests to: Saint Croix NSR Superintendent, 401 N Hamilton Street, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
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Rule sources
  • https://www.nps.gov/sacn/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations within Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. Wild & Scenic Rivers Act original 1968 designation and ESA Section 9 Higgins Eye Pearly Mussel endangered freshwater mussel habitat add federal restriction layers.
Parent Rule Pages