Key facts
- A federal judge refused to block the transfer of over 700 acres of wildlife refuge land to SpaceX.
- The land swap involves SpaceX exchanging 683 acres it owns for federal land in the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
- Environmental groups argued the exchange would worsen ecological risks and vowed to continue their legal challenge.
- The judge stated plaintiffs failed to prove the land transfer would significantly worsen ecological risks.
- The US Fish and Wildlife Service determined the exchange would have no significant impact and provide a net conservation benefit.
A federal judge on Monday declined to block the Trump administration's plan to transfer over 700 acres of land within the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge to Elon Musk's SpaceX. US district judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr rejected the environmental groups' request for a preliminary injunction, stating they did not provide sufficient evidence that the land swap would significantly increase ecological risks in the already impacted Gulf coast region.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service had approved the deal in June, which involves SpaceX surrendering 683 acres it owns in exchange for the federal parcel. The Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge spans 103,000 acres along the Texas border and is home to various animal habitats and historical sites. Maps indicate the land SpaceX would acquire is closer to its existing launchpad.
Opponents, including the Center for Biological Diversity and tribal groups, have criticized the exchange, viewing it as a "gift of public lands" that would allow SpaceX to expand its operations into a protected area. Laiken Jordahl, a spokesperson for the Center for Biological Diversity, stated that the litigation would continue despite the court's ruling, emphasizing the spiritual, historical, and conservation value of the land. The lawsuit seeks to halt the exchange due to concerns over lost beach access and potential rocket explosions.
The Fish and Wildlife Service previously stated that its environmental assessment determined the exchange would have no significant impact and could provide a "net conservation benefit" and improve habitat connectivity. Judge Rodriguez noted that the plaintiffs' evidence of environmental harm was "relatively weak" and that a preliminary injunction would impose hardship on SpaceX's development plans and contractual obligations.