Laws and Regulations

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Refuges are places where wildlife comes first. All activities allowed on refuges must be evaluated to make sure it will not conflict with the reason the refuge was founded.

 The refuge system has regulations about what you can and cannot do. You can find these regulations in the 50 Code of Federal Regulations - . The refuge has additional hunting and fishing regulations []

Special Use Permits (SUP)

Some commercial, recreational, and research activities are allowed only with a special use permit and are subject to specific conditions. Applying for a permit is free, and takes at least one week to process. 

For more information email Melissa Robell at [email protected] or call (580) 626-4794.

Required for:

  • General Activity - one-time events, educational activities, special access in a closed area (ex: 25 feet past the closed area signs on the salt flats for photography and filming), etc.
  • Research and Monitoring - research and monitoring activities by students, universities, or other non-FWS organizations
  • Commercial - guiding, agriculture, and trapping

For all permits:

  • Drones use is prohibited.
  • No litter allowed (ex: smoke bombs, confetti).
  • Permittee must carry a signed copy of their approved permit while on refuge property.
  • Artificial light sources must be preapproved.

Process and applications:

  1. Select which application depending on the proposed activity. For a salt flats special access permit use a general activities application. (General, Research and Monitoring andCommercial).
  2. Fill out the application as completely as possible with your contact information, specific date, time and refuge location. Provide thorough descriptions of activities, and leave as few empty fields to prevent delays in the review process. Email completed application to Melissa Robell at [email protected].
  3. Permits take at least one week to process. Permits are reviewed by the Refuge Manager and Biologist.
  4. If your permit is approved you must sign, review the special conditions, and return it to the refuge official.

Photography and filming:

The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (EXPLORE Act), designed to improve outdoor recreation access and programming on federal lands and waters, including filming and still photography activities, was enacted on January 4, 2025 (Public Law 118-234). 

Follow this guide to see if you need to apply for a permit:
  1. How many people will be involved?
    1. More than eight. You must apply for a general activities special use permit.
    2. Eight or fewer. Move on to number 2.
  2. Permit is not required if:
    1. Does not impede or intrude the experience of other visitors.
    2. Except as otherwise authorized, does not disturb or negatively impact a natural or cultural resource, and an environmental or scenic value.
    3. The person conducts this activity at a location in which the public is allowed. For example, a refuge trail.
      1. We do offer a special access salt flats permit for photography and filming. This permit if approved will allow you to go 25 feet past the closed area signs for a wide open view without other people in your picture. If you want this permit, you must apply for a general activities special use permit.
    4. Does not require exclusive use.
    5. Does not conduct this activity in a localized area that receives a very high volume of visitation.
    6. Does not use a set or staging equipment, subject to the limitation that handheld equipment (such as a tripod, monopod, and handheld lighting equipment) shall not be considered staging equipment.
    7. The person complies with and adheres to visitor use policies, practices, and regulations for the refuge. Ex: occurs during refuge open hours sunrise to sunset, pets on leash, and no drones.
    8. Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs being incurred.
    9. The person complies with other applicable Federal, State (as defined in section 2 of the EXPLORE Act), and local laws (including regulations), including laws relating to the use of unmanned aerial equipment.

National Wildlife Refuge System Laws

Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act establishes protections for fish, wildlife, and plants that are listed as threatened or endangered; provides for adding species to and removing them from the list of threatened and endangered species, and for preparing and implementing plans for their recovery;...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties
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
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) provides that the Service examine the environmental impacts, incorporate environmental information, and use public participation in the planning and implementation of all actions; integrate NEPA with other planning requirements; prepare NEPA...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties
An aerial view of pelican island.
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act

The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act provides authority, guidelines and directives for the Service to improve the National Wildlife Refuge System; administers a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife and plant...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act

Spells out wildlife conservation as the fundamental mission of the Refuge System; requires comprehensive conservation planning to guide management of the Refuge System; directs the involvement of private citizens in land management decisions; and provides that compatible wildlife-dependent...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties
Determination of Critical Habitat for the Whooping Crane
Document Citation
43 FR 20938