Title 23 USC 101 (a) (28)) defines Refuge roads as public roads that:
- 1) Provide access to or within a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System and,
- 2) Title and maintenance responsibility are vested in the United States Government.
Public roads are defined by 23 USC 101 (a) (27) as any road open to public travel. Because of the unique usage of refuge roads, this has to be further clarified by these guidelines. In order to be considered Public Roads, refuge roads must be opened to the general public during substantial parts of the year. Seasonal closures during nesting periods and inclement weather are permitted. However, roads only opened by permit to specific public interests, such as to hunters for specified hunting periods or photographers to access photo blinds, are not considered public roads.
