The Big Dry Arm Spring Storm in the Great Basin Red Cliffs Desert Tortoise Reserve March Morning on the Platte River After a Spring Storm in the Great Basin Hunting Upland Birds at Kingsbury Lake Waterfowl Production Area Sandhill Migration on the Platte River Badlands Sunrise The Green River at Ouray NWR North Park Lupines Moab Sunset
Refuge System - Planning
Mountain-Prairie Region
Graphic button showing the 8 state mountain prairie region

Laws & Policies

Compatible use | Cultural resources and Native Americans | Environmental analysis | Federal advisory committees | Fish, wildlife, and biodiversity | Partners | Planning | Realty | Recreation | Refuge System | Water resources | Wilderness | Open / close all

Law, policy, and plans—in that order—direct management of lands in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Servicewide law and policy dictate "musts," things that must happen because they have been mandated by Congress or the leadership of the Fish and Wildlife Service. The below links are for the major laws and policies that guide refuge planning.


Compatible use »


Cultural resources and Native Americans »


Environmental analysis »


Federal advisory committees »


Fish, wildlife, and biodiversity »


Partners »


Planning »


Realty »


Recreation »


Refuge System »


Water resources »


Wilderness »


Page photograph: black-footed ferret, an endangered species reintroduced to the wild in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American People.
Last modified: April 28, 2015
All Images Credit to and Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Unless Specified Otherwise.
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