A proposed land exchange would give the company over 700 acres of coastal land.
A potential land deal between the federal government and SpaceX could give Elon Musk’s company 775 acres of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in south Texas in exchange for land elsewhere in the county, reports Ayden Runnels for The Texas Tribune.
According to Runnels, “The exchange would allow SpaceX to add to its rocket launch operation site, which critics have long warned may cause ecological damage and threats to nearby wildlife habitats.”
In May, SpaceX got approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to increase the number of rocket launches from its Texas base. In June, the state allowed it to close a beach for its launches. “It is unclear whether the deal would require SpaceX to take any steps to preserve wildlife in the land, according to the [New York] Times.”
Read the full story: Trump administration weighing new South Texas land exchange with Elon Musk’s SpaceX
15 million people rely on the Rio Grande — in 2 years, it may run dry
The river fuels billions of dollars in agricultural production. Reducing agricultural water use may be the only way to save it.
Home values, property tax rises in Texas county after the arrival of SpaceX
The median property tax bill in Cameron County increased by more than 57% over six years.
SpaceX to build its largest-ever, $100 billion spaceport in Louisiana
The Louisiana Economic Development agency expects the project to create 3,000 direct jobs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park
The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.
‘Hoodwinked:’ New Mexico bill aimed at microgrids paves way for data center development
In an interview with High Country News, Padilla said the legislation “ignited” New Mexico's economy.
California’s ‘unrecognizable’ water plan may go down the drain
After four years of regulatory processes, water agencies say the plan to overhaul how cities and farms take water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has changed dramatically.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
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Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
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