NASA – KSC has published a Public Notice requesting comments on a NEPA required Environmental Assessment (EA) for a 100 acre expansion of the SpaceX Operations Facility on Roberts Road within Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The public has until October 16 to comment on the assessment.
“All upgrades to existing infrastructure and new development on Kennedy property must comply with NEPA,” said Don Dankert, technical lead for the Kennedy Environmental Planning Office. “All projects from commercial partners and NASA, whether government or private, are evaluated through our office to ensure compliance with state environmental regulations as well as federal.”
NEPA requires the agency to make decisions based on environmental factors over technical and economic factors, involve the public early in its environmental analysis process and document it in plain language for the public and decision makers, and find the least environmentally damaging ways to work.
As part of the development process, NASA also ensures upgrades and new facilities remain compliant with the requirements of the property agreement, including those related to construction, safety, and environmental conditions. With all projects – big or small – NASA maintains its strong commitment to sustainability.
Ensuring sustainability is a NASA priority and particularly important at Kennedy, which shares its boundary with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, home to more than 1,000 species of plants, 117 species of fish, 68 species of amphibians and reptiles, 330 species of birds, and 31 different types of mammals. The joint federal partnership with wildlife refuge and the Canaveral National Seashore ensures the preservation of Kennedy’s natural resources – and the spaceport’s ability to meet the agency’s long-term goals.
In addition to the Roberts Road expansion, SpaceX is making upgrades to Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) to support future Starship launches. NASA is working with SpaceX to ensure the updated pad remains compliant with the requirements of the company’s property agreement for the use of launch complex, including requirements related to construction, safety, and environmental concerns. An Environmental Assessment was completed and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued in September 2019 in accordance with the NEPA process
NASA also has received a SpaceX proposal for a future launch and landing site, Launch Complex 49, for the Starship rocket. The 175-acre site is located north of Launch Complex 39B within the center’s security perimeter. NASA continues working with SpaceX to conduct a comprehensive review to define the project. Once the scope of the project is defined, NASA would begin environmental and other assessments, including potential alternate locations and public input.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
NOTICE: KSC-01-23
National Environmental Policy Act: John F. Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida
AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
ACTION: Availability of the Roberts Road SpaceX Operations Area Expansion & Supporting Infrastructure Draft Environmental Assessment (EA), KSC, Florida
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 United States Code 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA; 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §1500–1508; and NASA policy and procedures, (14 CFR §1216.3), NASA has prepared and issued a supplemental Draft EA for the expansion of the SpaceX Operational area located on Roberts Road at KSC. The purpose of the proposed action is Action is to increase the capabilities, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of SpaceX’s production and launch support operations in Brevard County, Florida. The Proposed Action is consistent with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Interim Directive 8600.121 and KSC’s 2020 Vision Plan.
DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments on environmental concerns on or before October 16, 2023 or 30 days from the date of this notice publication, whichever is later.
ADDRESSES: Address written comments or questions to:
Mr. Donald Dankert KSC Environmental Management Branch
Mail Code: SI-E3
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
E-mail: donald.j.dankert@nasa.gov
The Draft EA is available in Acrobat® format at: https://public.ksc.nasa.gov/environmental/nepacomments/
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Donald Dankert
KSC Environmental Management Branch
Mail Code: SI-E3
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
E-mail: donald.j.dankert@nasa.gov
Telephone: 321.861.1196
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
The Draft EA evaluated the potential environmental impacts associated with the No Action Alternative, Alternative 1, and the Proposed Action, and include the following resources categories: transportation, utilities, air quality, natural and biological resources (habitat and nonlisted wildlife species), threatened and endangered wildlife species, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazardous materials, climate, noise, water resources, and socioeconomics.
SpaceX proposes to expand its Roberts Road Operations Area, upgrade the utilities, and widen Saturn Causeway to support vehicle transport to and from launch facilities. Under the Proposed Action, SpaceX would expand the Roberts Road Operations Area by 100 acres immediately north of the existing site. Development would include additional office space and facilities in support of vehicle and payload processing, fabrication, storage, manufacturing, and shipping and receiving. The total footprint of facilities would not exceed 1.5 million square feet and facility height would not exceed approximately 400 feet. Upgraded utilities at the site include new underground electrical feeder lines, fiber communication connectivity, water, and wastewater. SpaceX would also construct improvements to the intersection of Kennedy Parkway and Roberts Road, if needed, as the site develops to maintain acceptable traffic conditions.
Saturn Causeway would be widened approximately eight feet from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Phillips Parkway and drainage swales would be improved and a new electrical duct bank is proposed within the roadway footprint to support operations at Launch Complex 39A.
Download:
NASA KSC Roberts Rd EA Public Notice
NASA KSC SpaceX Roberts Road Expansion Environmental Assessment Draft