Waterfowl Identification Guide Comprehensive Conservation Plan Phone: 218-8474431 |
Law enforcement activities on the District are focused on protecting visitors, wildlife populations, and habitats of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). Refuge Officers are highly trained, and specially equipped to do their jobs.
A special focus of the District's Law Enforcement program is enforcing the provisions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's conservation easements. Most easement contracts are never violated; however, the habitat losses that occur when easement wetlands are drained or protected prairies are plowed can be substantial. Aerial and ground inspections are conducted frequently to ensure that these habitats remain protected. When violations do occur, District Law Enforcement Officers attempt to gain voluntary compliance to restore the impacted habitats. Repeat violations, or refusal to correct the problem, may result in referral of the case to the Department of Justice for prosecution.
Without law enforcement, natural resources of the NWRS would be lost, and the wildlife that depends upon these habitats would be impacted for the long-term. Law enforcement is a critically important management program necessary to protect habitats of the NWRS for the benefit of wildlife and the American people.
Aerial view of illegal draining and burning of wetland basins
protected by a conservation easement
Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
