# 2026-00734: Government Ditches Fireworks and Dog Rules in Wildlife Refuges—Finally!

2026-00734, Rescission of Regulations Regarding Public Access, Use, and Recreation for Four National Wildlife Refuges, is a Federal Register rule from Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service published 2026-01-15, effective 2026-03-16 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00734
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00734
- Title: Rescission of Regulations Regarding Public Access, Use, and Recreation for Four National Wildlife Refuges
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Interior Department; Fish and Wildlife Service
- Citation: 91 FR 1718
- Published: 2026-01-15
- Effective: 2026-03-16
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1018-BI79
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Government Ditches Fireworks and Dog Rules in Wildlife Refuges—Finally!

## Summary

Starting March 16, 2026, some old rules about fireworks, dogs, boats, and littering at four National Wildlife Refuges will be removed because they’re no longer needed. This change affects visitors to Havasu, Pond Creek, St. Vincent, and Upper Mississippi River refuges and won’t cost anyone extra. If anyone has big concerns, they can speak up by February 17, 2026, before the new rules kick in.

## Abstract

This direct final rule removes certain regulations related to enforcement of various activities on Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, and Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Specifically, the rescinded regulations relate to activities such as use of fireworks, damaging vegetation, dogs that disturb wildlife or habitat, use of firearms and other weapons, littering, alcohol use, and boat speed. These regulations are redundant and therefore can be rescinded without adverse impact.

## Effects PRIA read

- Havasu Refuge boating rule cleanup: benefit, low. If you visit Havasu National Wildlife Refuge (Arizona), certain refuge-specific boating speed and activity language in 50 CFR 26.34 is removed effective March 16, 2026. Boat speed and related restrictions will instead follow Arizona state regulations and existing 50 CFR provisions, and the agency s…
- Pond Creek fireworks prohibition moved: benefit, low. If you visit Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Arkansas), the refuge-specific ban on possession or use of fireworks is removed from 50 CFR 26.34 effective March 16, 2026 because possession/use of fireworks is already prohibited on Service lands under 50 CFR 27.41. The Service says this change is…
- St. Vincent camping and alcohol rules clarified: benefit, low. If you visit St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge (Florida), the refuge-specific rules on camping locations, fires, motorized equipment, quiet hours, boats, and restrictions on alcohol during hunting are revised or removed from 50 CFR 26.34 effective March 16, 2026 so those activities instead align…
- Upper Mississippi River refuge rule consolidation: benefit, low. If you visit the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Minnesota), several refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR 26.34 about cutting or damaging vegetation, dogs (leashing, roaming, field trials), firearms, littering, and vehicle use are removed effective March 16, 2026 and enforceme…

## Related documents

- [2026-14629](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14629): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat, 2026-07-21
- [2026-14633](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14633): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, 2026-07-21
- [2026-14299](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14299): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment…, 2026-07-16
- [2026-14195](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14195): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2026-07-14
- [2026-12955](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12955): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26
- [2026-12951](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12951): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26

## Sources
- [2026-00734 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/15/2026-00734/rescission-of-regulations-regarding-public-access-use-and-recreation-for-four-national-wildlife)
- [2026-00734 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-15/pdf/2026-00734.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00730, Amendment of Jet Route J-146 and Establishment of United States RNAV Route Q-18…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00730)
- [Next: 2026-00752, Establishment of Class E Airspace; Zuni, NM; Correction](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00752)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00734 (as of 2026-06-11).