SpaceX, a company that “designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft,” is one step closer towards building a private launch site in Texas’ Cameron County. Local reports state that the federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that such a project would likely have no negative impact on the surrounding environment or wildlife.
Although SpaceX is headquartered in California, the company is planning to spend $73,650,000 near Texas’ Boca Chica Beach on the new launch site. The Valley Morning Star reported that the area is a mere three miles north of Mexico.
According to the Valley Morning Star, the federal wildlife agency considered whether the proposed launch site would have a detrimental impact on local wildlife including sea turtles, the aplomado falcon and piping plovers.
The federal agency’s opinion said, “We concur and understand that in order to protect these species, FAA will ensure precautions and education outreach efforts will be enforced.”
The land plot on which SpaceX plans to build is immense. Reports state that the company currently owns 90 plots of land, covering 34 acres.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to release a comprehensive impact study regarding SpaceX’s proposal in May 2014. The agency will work with several consulting firms to determine any expected detrimental impacts the launch site may cause.
So far, however, things are looking positive for the project given the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s opinion, which Cameron County Administrator Pete Sepulveda Jr. told the Star “is a critical step. This is great news. It is a critical part of the project. It will ensure that the project gets final clearance from the FAA.”
Breitbart Texas’ request for comment from SpaceX is pending.
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