1. RECOMMENDATION
CCA Florida strongly opposes both alternative 2 and alternative 1 as sites to develop the proposed commercial vertical launch complex. We recommend that NASA and the U.S. Air Force work together and cooperatively to select and use existing and unused launch sites.
2. COMMENTS
Mosquito Lagoon, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) and Canaveral National Seashore contain some of Florida’s most valuable saltwater fishing areas. Florida’s huge saltwater recreational fishery is valued at six billion dollars. It is the largest in the U.S., twice the value of the second largest state, and is one of the major economic engines driving Florida’s tourist economy.
NASA is proposing to develop a commercial space launch facility. NASA consultants have identified two 200 acre alternatives. Alternative 2 is right on the southwest shoreline of Mosquito Lagoon. Alternative 1 impacts the Canaveral National Seashore and estuarine waters of the Indian River Estuary.
Both of the proposed areas have environmentally sensitive areas that serve as critical habitat for endangered and threatened species that will be negatively impacted if developed. In addition, substantial public access and angler access restriction problems would occur in both areas.
Major objections to both areas were voiced by a large turn out of saltwater anglers, hikers, bird watchers, and other conservationists at recent public hearings. Merritt Island is an International destination for anglers, birdwatchers and wildlife photographers.
U.S. Congressman Tom Feeney and State Representative Andy Gardiner have issued public statements opposing Alternative 2. Both urged NASA and the Air Force to work cooperatively to use existing, unused launch sites.
The Orlando Sentinel, one of Central Florida’s largest newspapers has editorialized in opposition to both alternatives. The Orlando Sentinel editorial states in part;
“The jobs NASA wants to save- and the business those jobs would help attract and sustain- instead should relocate to what’s now an abandoned launchpad complex at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Except NASA, which doesn’t own that tract, doesn’t want to bother.
Hard to believe, right? That one of the nations boldest agencies- where else in government do they literally reach for the stars? – proved too timid or too unimaginative to reach an accommodation with the Air Force that could spare the refuge a new complex the size of Sea World?”
(Orlando Sentinel March 2, 2008 - click to read the entire editorial)
We have attached two maps. One shows the two sites selected by the NASA consultants. The second map is a larger view which shows the two sites in the context of the Kennedy Space Center and Canaveral Air Force Station. Unused launch sites can be seen on this map.
Our review indicates that it does not make any sense to use either of the two areas recommended by NASA consultants, which destroy unique and valuable natural areas, when nearby property owned by the U.S. Air Force already has unused launch sites.
3. CLOSING COMMENT
NASA should eliminate alternatives 1 and 2 and work with the U.S. Air Force to utilize existing and unused launch sites for the proposed private, commercial spacecraft launch site.
View letter sent to Mr. Mario Buscacca of NASA. (PDF Format)
