SpaceX Louisiana: Environmental Initiatives and FAA Proposal

By now we’ve all seen it, heard it or maybe even already knew it: SpaceX is coming to Louisiana to build its largest facility yet in Vermilion Parish’s Pecan Island. 

The rumors were confirmed on Tuesday during a SpaceX event in conjunction with Governor Jeff Landry, followed by an official press release from Louisiana Economic Development (LED). While the announcement flooded social media, rumors had been surfacing online for months and were not void of public opinions.

It’s no secret that Louisianians are divided on the SpaceX Louisiana campus. For a clear picture of the fiery division, I knew exactly where to go: the comments section of the governor’s social media post from the Tuesday event. 

Instagram, @govjefflandry

The comments on a social media post rarely hold back. There, I found state pride, tax concerns, gratitude, insults and everything in between. 

Here are just a few: 

• “Louisiana has always helped power the country; now we may help launch it. The real victory will be turning this investment into accessible careers, stronger local businesses and communities, and responsible protection of the working coast. Get those pieces right, and this could benefit Louisiana families for generations.” [@patrick_m_mcintosh]
• “What kind of taxes will this company pay? We all pay lots of property taxes. Will they pay? I’m asking honestly, and I want an honest answer. How will this financially benefit Louisiana? Besides jobs. The people need answers. We are tired of billionaires paying nothing while we pay 37%.” [@jaybird3309]
• “Sad state of affairs for the LA governor to hand the keys to an already vulnerable coastline to the richest man in the world so he can tear it up and play with his rockets. 2028 can’t come soon enough.” [@ky1e00]
• “Spending $100 billion in capex in Louisiana is a huge win; in comparison, Louisiana workers earn an estimated $135 billion annually. So, $100 billion invested in the state’s future impacts everything, everyone, and the state’s future! Exciting times, thanks, Governor!” [mitchboud]
• “What a joke!!! Selling out the sportsman’s paradise that you claim to love!!! Destroying people’s way of life.” [gone_fishing45]

Clearly, a range of motives fuels support, concern and frustration. Yet, the biggest concern I’ve seen, even among those who support the decision, is care for our environment and wildlife. After all, we are the “Sportsman’s Paradise,” and Pecan Island is abundant in landscape, wildlife and history.

With so much concern, it seemed important to gather recent initiatives supporting our “Sportsman’s Paradise” and the land to be affected by SpaceX Louisiana.

Environmental Initiatives

Stop SpaceX Encourages Public Comments to Stop the Waiving of Environmental Reviews by Aug. 31

The Stop SpaceX initiative primarily shares information on the Mississippi Flyway, a migratory path for birds that crosses over Pecan Island. According to their reports, 40% of North American waterfowl use the Mississippi Flyway each year, and Pecan Island is a resting spot and integral part of keeping the flyway. 

In addition to learning about the wildlife at risk on its website, Stop SpaceX provided information regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) proposal to waive requirements under 13 laws for commercial space licenses and permits to operate a launch site, licenses to operate a reentry site, experimental permits and licenses to operate a launch or reentry vehicle. 

According to the FAA proposal document, the FAA is exploring the use of all available authorities to eliminate or expedite environmental reviews and other obstacles to these licenses. 

Learn More and Make Your Public Comment

Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF), National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Pontchartrain Conservancy Submit Public Comments for FAA Proposal

Beyond submitting their own public comments, these three organizations voice the direct concerns of the FAA’s proposal. 

According to the LWF, of the 13 statutes the FAA is proposing to waive, the following are of direct concern to the three organizations:

• The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires an
• environmental analysis that identifies wildlife and habitat impacts;
• The Endangered Species Act (ESA), including the Section 7 consultation
• requirement that protects listed species;
• The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA);
• The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protections implicated through NEPA review;
• The Clean Water Act (CWA), including Section 401 certification and Section 404
• dredge-and-fill permitting for wetlands;
• The Clean Air Act (CAA) conformity requirements;
• The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), which governs federal consistency
• with state coastal programs; and the
• The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which
• includes essential fish habitat consultation.

Join or Donate to the LWF

Next Month is Louisiana’s First Coordinated Statewide Waterway Cleanup 

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) urge Louisianians to register cleanup events and volunteer for Love Our Waterways, the state’s first coordinated, month-long shoreline and waterway cleanup initiative, kicking off Sep. 1.

Volunteers can participate in a variety of ways, including:

• Organize or join a shoreline cleanup. 
• Clean waterways by kayak, canoe, paddleboard or motorized boat.
• Remove litter from neighborhood storm drains and roadside ditches before it reaches local waterways.
• Volunteer with a registered cleanup event.
• Share cleanup efforts on social media to inspire others.

Register an Event or Volunteer

Habitat Recovery Project Keeps Community Informed

The Habitat Recovery Project, based in Vinton, La., is a community-focused conservation movement with a mission “dedicated to restoring, generating and preserving ecological habitats in existing and proposed contaminated communities, through supporting and benefiting the people and emerging grassroots initiatives that reside within them.”

The Habitat Recovery Project has a hub of resources through its Linktree link and website, including news, documentaries, and projects. 

Explore the Habitat Recovery Project Resources