Provides a comprehensive examination of the laws and policies governing management of the national wildlife refuges. The book describes the National Wildlife Refuge System and its legal history; offers a detailed breakdown of the 1997 act, including its purpose, designated uses, comprehensive planning provisions, substantive management criteria, and public participation aspects; considers individual refuges and specific issues that apply to only certain refuges; discusses oil and gas development in refuges; offers observations about how well the refuge system law resolves historic tensions and achieves modern conservation goals.