Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Pacific Southwest Region
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Wilderness

Proposed Wilderness at Desert NWRDesert NWR Proposed Wilderness

In 1974, approximately 1,433,100 acres within the Desert National Wildlife Refuge were found suitable for further consideration as wilderness and were proposed for designation as a unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Currently, the area remains in proposed wilderness status and is managed as "de facto" wilderness in accordance with National Wildlife Refuge System policy.

The existing wilderness proposal will be reevaluated during the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) environmental impact statement (EIS) process which is underway currently for the Desert NWR. Changes to the proposal will be made as needed and a decision made on the wilderness status.

Last updated: February 17, 2010