SpaceX Says It Isn’t Buying Boca Chica Beach, Explains 1,200-Acre Plan

SpaceX says Boca Chica Beach would remain public under a proposed land arrangement near Starbase, pushing back on the idea that the beach itself is part of the deal.

In a November 13 update, the company said it is discussing the purchase of approximately 1,200 acres of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department land immediately around its launch facility. “The beach is, and will remain, public,” SpaceX said. The discussions are a proposal, not an announcement of an approved or completed transaction.

What SpaceX says it is offering

SpaceX says it will “permanently conserve approximately 600 acres” through a conservation easement and says it has offered tens of millions of dollars toward beach restoration. Those are commitments and offers, not confirmation that the conservation arrangement or restoration work has been completed.

SpaceX also cites unauthorized visitors near its operations as a concern and says it and Starbase have removed “more than 50 tons of trash.” These are the company’s claims in support of its position.

A separate review is examining Starbase’s expansion

The land discussion comes as a much larger question about Starbase’s future is being examined through the FAA’s environmental-review process. The agency recently moved five public meetings online and extended its comment deadline to December 7.

That review considers a proposal for as many as 456 Starship launches and 912 landings annually at Boca Chica. The landing figure includes both Starship and Super Heavy. It is not a new authorization to conduct that many flights.

The proposed expansion has two phases, beginning with up to 100 launches and 200 landings a year before a later increase. The review is still at the scoping stage, when the FAA gathers input on alternatives and the impacts its analysis should examine.

Noise, wildlife, coastal resources and water resources are among the issues in that process. Online public meetings are scheduled for November 17, 18 and 19, with registration required. Those proceedings are distinct from the land discussions described by SpaceX.

SpaceX’s update sets out the company’s position. Proposed land terms, public beach access and federal launch approvals are different questions, and progress on one does not settle the others.

What protections should be in place as Starbase grows alongside Boca Chica Beach?

Image: SpaceX.