Nearest city La Push, Washington Phone +1 360-457-8451 | Area 121 ha Established 1907 | |
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Location Clallam and Jefferson counties, Washington, United States Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Website Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge Address Olympic National Park, Forks, WA 98331, USA Management United States Fish and Wildlife Service Similar Second Beach, Washingt Islands Wilderness, Third Beach, Manitou Lodge Bed & Breakfast, Mora Campgro | ||
Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge is the central refuge of the three (along with Flattery Rocks and Copalis) which make up the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, a group of 870 islands, rocks, and reefs extending for more than 100 miles along Washington's coast from Cape Flattery to Copalis Beach. These islands are protected from human disturbance, yet are close to abundant ocean food sources.
They are a vital sanctuary where 14 species of seabirds nest and raise their young. During migration the total populations of seabirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds may exceed a million birds. Sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and whales may also be seen around the islands.
The refuge is within the boundary of Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and Olympic National Park, and except for Destruction Island is also incorporated into the Washington Islands Wilderness. The three agencies cooperate on research programs and other issues that may have impacts on the resources.
History
The refuge was originally created as Quillayute Needles Reservation on October 23, 1907, by an executive order from Theodore Roosevelt. It encompassed the islands off the Washington coast between latitudes 47° 38′ North, and 48° 02′ North. It was renamed by a presidential proclamation on July 25, 1940. In 1966, James Island was removed from the refuge by the U.S. Department of the Interior and returned to the Quileute when the island was discovered to be part of the Quileute Indian Reservation.