Laws and Regulations

Permits

General special use permits are needed for after-hours access, special access to closed areas, or commercial ventures including filming and recording. Please address these special use permit questions to the deputy refuge manager.

Colleges and Universities: For those wishing to conduct any research, inventory or monitoring projects on the refuge please address special use permit questions and applications to the wildlife biologist.

See the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ePermit system to apply for Special Use Permits.

  • General Activities
  • Research and Monitoring
  • Commercial Activities

Rules and Regulations

Special rules and regulations for the Seney National Wildlife Refuge and the Whitefish Point Unit.

National Wildlife Refuge System Laws

Refuges are special places where wildlife comes first. All activities allowed on refuges must be evaluated to make sure each activity will not conflict with the reason the refuge was founded. The refuge system has special regulations about what you can do. You can find these regulations in the 50 Code of Federal Regulations - Subchapter C.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 U.S.C. 703-712) implements four international conservation treaties that the U.S. entered into with Canada in 1916, Mexico in 1936, Japan in 1972, and Russia in 1976. It is intended to ensure the sustainability of populations of all protected migratory...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties
Wilderness Act of 1964

The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System and authorizes Congress to designate wilderness areas. Here, in the Wilderness Act, is a definition of wilderness: “A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties