Mid-Columbia River Refuges Toppenish - McNary - Cold Springs - Umatilla - McKay      Conserving the Nature of America in the Mid-Columbia River Basin

Q. Is the office for the Complex still in Pasco, Washington?
A. No, the Complex office moved to Richland, Washington in the summer of 2005. The administrative offices for McNary, Toppenish, Cold Springs, McKay and Umatilla Refuges are at the Richland Complex office.Our mailing address is P.O. Box 1447, 3250 Port of Benton Blvs., Richland, WA, 99352. Telephone: (509) 371-9212 Fax: (509) 375-0196.

Q. How can I obtain a hunting permit or blind reservation for McNary and/or McCormack Hunting Units?
A. Waterfowl permits are required to hunt waterfowl at both McNary and McCormack Fee Hunt Units. Applications for the advance reservations drawing held in late August can be obtained by writing the Refuge Complex office below or going to the hunt section of this website. Other hunt units on both refuges do not require permits.  Check with the hunting pages to find the maps and regualtions pertaining to the unit you wish to hunt.

Q. Where can I watch birds?
A. Bird watching is available on all five Mid-Columbia River Refuges. Some of the most accessible and best viewing can be found in Burbank Washington at the McNary Refuge bird hyde.  The bird hyde (the photography blind was built by volunteers headed by Dale Litzenberger who saw the prototype called a "hyde" while birding in England) is located on a wetland about 700 feet from the refuge office.  For those that prefer some exercise with their birding, a two mile wood chip nature trail wanders along the slough, up into a shrub-steppe environment and then back to some smaller ponds. The short hike to the bird hyde and the longer walk around the slough provide for some excellent birding opportunities. Both Toppenish and Umatilla Refuges have an overlook platform for bird viewing. The Umatilla Refuge has an excellent auto tour route that has lots of good bird viewing areas. Best months on all Refuges are October through May.

Q. Are there any areas to see larger mammals?
A. The Umatilla Refuge in Irrigon, Oregon is home to a herd of over 350 mule deer.  An auto tour route through the refuge provides excellent views of the deer. Viewing is especially good during around dusk or dawn.  Just be carefull you don’t get locked in the refuge!  The refuge gates close electronically after dark.

Q. Where are the good fishing spots?
A.   Some popular fishing spots include Quarry Pond on the Two Rivers Unit and the Walla Walla River in the Wallula Unit.    Both wildlife units are within the boundaries of the McNary Refuge and are only a few miles outside of the Tri-Cities. McKay Refuge is also a good spot for those living near Pendleton, Oregon.

Q. What is all that construction going on at the McNary Refuge Office and Environmental Education Center?
A. The McNary Environmental Education Center (MEECe) and the McNary Refuge Office in Burbank,  are undergoing a major facelift.  The two building will be replaced with one larger facilty.  New construction on the Refuge office starts June 2006 and should be completed by early 2007. We hope to have a new education center by the end of 2008. 

Questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's).       MAIL:  Our mailing address is: Mid-Columbia NWRC P.O. Box 1447 Richland, WA 99352 Telephone: (509) 371-9212 Fax: (509) 375-0196. Privacy,  Disclaimer, Copyright, and Technology Requirements  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is part of the United States government