Environment Texas attempts to stop SpaceX spaceport

chron.com ^ | 1 June 2012 | Eric Berger

[smokingfrog]

As Texas appears to be getting more serious about enticing SpaceX to build a spaceport near Brownsville an environmental group has stepped forward to oppose the project.

At issue is the threat of “noise, heat, vibration, fencing and hazardous material spills” from the proposed spaceport that could lower the value of nearby Boca Chica Park and the Lower Rio Grande Valley Natural Wildlife Refuge.

Here’s the full text of a news release issued today by Environment Texas:

Environment Texas launched a petition drive today to stop the proposed construction of a spaceport on private land almost completely surrounded by a south Texas park and wildlife refuge. California company SpaceX – which made news last week when their commercial spacecraft successfully attached to the International Space Station – has applied to the Federal Aviation Administration for a license to launch million pound rockets from an area home to endangered sea turtles, ocelots and falcons.

“I love the space program as much, if not more, than anyone,” said Environment Texas Director Luke Metzger. “But launching big, loud, smelly rockets from the middle of a wildlife refuge will scare the heck out of every creature within miles and sprays noxious chemicals all over the place. It’s a terrible idea and SpaceX needs to find another place for their spaceport.”

[SuziQ]

“But launching big, loud, smelly rockets from the middle of a wildlife refuge will scare the heck out of every creature within miles “

The critters will learn pretty quickly that those big noises don't represent any threat to them, and will learn to ignore them. Kinda like a person learning to ignore the sound of traffic or a train, if they hear it all the time.

[jmcenanly]

In addition to being a once and hopefully future spaceport, Cape Canaveral is also a wildlife sanctuary. The local wildlife is not the least bit perturbed by the occasional thunder of a space launch.

these environmentalist probably hate humans more than they love the environment. In fact, if they really loved the planet, they would want us to get as much of our industry off its surface as possible.

[Wordkraft]

This was as predictable as sunrise.