SpaceX’s ambitious launch schedule may impact local access to beaches. If the company’s plans to convert its Boca Chica, Texas launch site into an official city are successful, SpaceX could gain authority over road and beach closures in the area.
Texas legislators have introduced bills that would potentially grant SpaceX the power to close roads and public beaches near the Starbase launch site in South Texas for activities such as rocket launches and ground testing. This provision would come into effect depending on a forthcoming vote on whether Starbase will be established as a city.
Elon Musk, CEO and founder of SpaceX, initially proposed the idea of a Starbase city in 2021. In February, Cameron County in Texas approved an election for its residents to vote on creating a new town centered around SpaceX’s operations. This election is scheduled for May 3, with participation primarily from residents near the launch site, many of whom are SpaceX employees who initiated a petition in December 2024 to hold this vote. It is anticipated that this vote will likely favor SpaceX.
A subsequent bill introduced on March 14 would allow SpaceX to manage road and beach closures for its rocket-related activities. Although the bill does not explicitly name SpaceX, it targets counties with spaceports and beach access adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. Currently, road and beach closures in Cameron County are the responsibility of local officials. If the bill passes, SpaceX would have this control during weekdays while Cameron County would retain its authority during weekends, similarly to current practices.
During a public hearing, State Senator Adam Hinojosa stated that the proposed bill would not increase the frequency of beach closures but aim to “streamline administrative processes while maintaining local oversight.”
Concerns persist regarding the environmental impact SpaceX’s operations may have on Boca Chica’s surrounding landscape. In July 2024, multiple conservation groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity and American Bird Conservancy, filed a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration, accusing it of expediting SpaceX’s Starship permitting process without thorough environmental review. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed nearly $150,000 in fines against SpaceX for allegedly discharging pollutants into a Texas waterway without the necessary permits.
In addition to its rocketry activities, SpaceX announced plans last year to develop a $15 million commercial center near Starbase. Despite these developments, the frequent launches have already posed challenges to the local ecosystem.
