Shell Lake National Wildlife Refuge

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Public Comment Opportunity: Draft Rights‑of‑Way Compatibility Determination

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public review and comment on the Draft Programmatic Compatibility Determination for Rights‑of‑Way and Rights to Access for Temporary Disturbances and Minor Impacts on Conservation Easements in the Mountain‑Prairie Region. This draft document evaluates the compatibility of proposed activities that may cause temporary, minor disturbances while supporting necessary public infrastructure needs across conservation easements in the Mountain-Prairie Region. The draft Compatibility Determination will be available for a 30‑day public comment period from April 1 to May 1, 2026. Comments, questions, concerns, or a request for a hard copy can be sent to: MountainPrairieNWRS@fws.gov.

Shell Lake National Wildlife Refuge was set aside primarily for nesting and breeding migratory waterfowl, but also serves as a haven for resident wildlife populations. The Refuge is comprised of open water, wetlands, and uplands of both native prairie and introduced grasses. In many years, especially in the fall, Shell Lake is the only wetland in the immediate area that provides a critical resting area for migratory waterfowl. Public use is restricted to protect the integrity of Shell Lake National Wildlife Refuge as a sanctuary for breeding and migratory waterfowl.

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Shell Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a haven for migrating waterfowl and native wildlife. There are many years when Shell Lake is the only wetland in the immediate area to hold water, making it a critical resting place for migratory birds. Because of this, the Refuge is closed to public use visitation.

      What We Do

      Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which 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       is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species.