Save the Central Coast from Rapid Increase in SpaceX Launches!

Several years ago, the first SpaceX launches off California’s Ventura County coast at Vandenberg Space Force Base were a novelty. People lined the beaches to watch the rocket launch, YouTubers made videos of the experience and the excitement of commercial launches prevailed.

Now, as SpaceX looks to rapidly increase the number of launches from 6 per year to 36 per year and soon up to 100 per year at Vandenberg, these activities are being carefully scrutinized. As the novelty wears off, noise complaints, concerns over impacts to wildlife and marine debris are surfacing. SpaceX’s activities in Texas are also raising serious concerns.

The California Coastal Commission has held several hearings on the proposal to increase SpaceX’s launch activities at Vandenberg. At first, these activities were approved, but the permit has since been “reopened” since it came to light that the launches were causing more beach closures than predicted at Jalama Beach Park and nearby popular beaches.

In April 2024, this issue went to a hearing before the Coastal Commission and staff originally recommended “concurrence” with SpaceX’s activities, a type of approval given to federal agencies, with new mitigation measures to avoid impacts to beach access. However, due to concerns about the impacts and extent of the Commission’s authority, the item was postponed for a future hearing to gather more information. 

Fast forward to June 2024 and the Commission is now recommending “objection” to the launch increases! The reasons are numerous and based on lack of information regarding:

• Why the proposed SpaceX launches should be considered a federal agency activity; 
• Specifics on what areas are being affected by sonic booms and how; 
• What sensitive species and habitats are known to inhabit these areas and how they are being affected; 
• How the results of biological monitoring efforts support the Air Force’s conclusions that SpaceX launches are not adversely affecting sensitive species and habitats; 
• Whether the proposed marine debris program is effectively mitigating for the amount and type of debris generated from launches; 
• Whether the type and intensity of artificial night lighting at the launch complex is adversely affecting sensitive species and habitats. 

These objections are substantial and get at the heart of many of the public’s concerns. People across multiple surrounding counties are complaining of sonic booms. A monarch butterfly habitat sits adjacent to the launch site and the impacts are not currently monitored. Marine debris are not adequately mitigated for the type of toxic waste being left behind (batteries). New seabird monitoring data shows potential species level impacts.

Of primary concern for Surfrider is impacts to coastal access at Jalama Beach County Park and nearby beaches. The activities could result in 13 beach closures per year. Vandenberg has suggested that they will supply a shuttle for campers at Jalama to leave the park during nighttime launches and return - this sounds like a major inconvenience that may deter people from camping there. 

The objection also questions who the applicant should be - Vandenberg Space Force or SpaceX, given that the vast majority of the launches do not contain any federal equipment. If SpaceX is the applicant, as a commercial entity, the Commission has more authority to suggest modifications.

When the Coastal Commission, a state agency, reviews an application from a federal agency, its authority is different and somewhat constrained when compared to its typical coastal development permit authority for all other applicants.

The Commission needs your support on June 12 to stand up to the Air Force and SpaceX. Please attend the Coastal Commission meeting to support the “Objection” and make sure commercial launch activities are carefully regulated.