The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a deregulatory action that removes duplicative regulations related to enforcement of certain activities in the National Wildlife Refuge System. These updates eliminate regulations that duplicate existing authorities already in place. Removing them has no impact on day-to-day refuge operations and does not reduce protections for wildlife, habitat or public safety. Consistent with President Donald J. Trump’s directive to reduce unnecessary regulation and improve government efficiency, this action cuts red tape and ensures the Service remains focused on its core conservation and outdoor recreation mission.
“We continue to make access to public lands for outdoor recreation a priority. National wildlife refuges protect iconic species and provide recreation opportunities that connect the American public with nature,” said Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System, Cynthia Martinez. “In addition, our goal is to reduce the number of regulations, increase government efficiency and reduce costs without compromising the health or safety of those seeking outdoor recreation on national wildlife refuges.”
This direct final rule removes certain duplicative regulations related to activities on national wildlife refuges, such as use of fireworks, damaging vegetation, dogs that disturb wildlife or habitat, use of firearms and other weapons, littering, alcohol use and boat speed.
These revisions will not inhibit the Service from successfully fulfilling its statutory mandate to manage these refuges for the purposes for which they were established or managing each refuge to fulfill the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. These efforts to reduce the number of regulations will still maintain essential protections for public health and safety and the conservation of species and their habitats on refuges.
This final rule is effective in 60 days on March 16, 2026, without further action, unless significant adverse comments are received in 30 days by February 17, 2026. If significant adverse comments are received, the Service will publish a notification in the Federal Register before the effective date either withdrawing the rule or issuing a new final rule that responds to any significant adverse comments.
The National Wildlife Refuge System is an unparalleled network of 573 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts. There is a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major metropolitan areas. More than 70 million Americans visit national wildlife refuges every year. National wildlife refuges provide vital habitat for thousands of species and access to world-class recreation opportunities.
Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service permits six wildlife-dependent recreational activities where they are compatible with an individual refuge’s purpose and mission, including hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation.
National wildlife refuges provide vital habitat for thousands of species and access to world-class recreation, from fishing, hunting and boating to nature watching, photography and environmental education. In doing so, they support regional economies to the tune of $3.2 billion per year and support more than 41,000 jobs.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visitwww.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Flickr.
