The FAA has completed a safety review of SpaceX’s request to launch Starship from its South Texas facility. A spacecraft on a launch pad is seen near Boca Chica Beach, Texas, on November 1, 2023. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report)
BOCA CHICA, Texas (VALLEY CENTRAL) – Environmental groups in South Texas have sued the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for allowing SpaceX to pour contaminated water into Boca Chica wetlands without permission.
According to the complaint, TCEQ approved an order allowing SpaceX to dump industrial wastewater from the deluge system at the Cameron County Starbase launch site until a new permit is obtained.
The plaintiffs in this lawsuit are the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, Inc., Save RGV, and the South Texas Environmental Justice Network. The complaint was filed Monday in Travis County District Court.
“The Clean Water Act requires TCEQ to implement certain procedural and technical requirements when issuing discharge permits intended to protect public participation and ensure compliance with Texas surface water quality standards.” By circumventing these requirements, the commission is putting Boca Chica’s environment at risk of deterioration,” said attorney Lauren Ice, who represents the three Rio Grande Valley organizations.
The lawsuit alleges that the Clean Water Act was violated by TCEQ by giving SpaceX permission to dump contaminated water into wetlands without permission.
“We are suing TCEQ for violating environmental laws in favor of SpaceX and allowing Musk’s private space company to pollute Boca Chica Beach, the South Bay, the Rio Grande, and the sacred waters of the Gulf of Mexico. We had to, our tribal nation,” said Juan Mancias, Tribal Chairman of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas. “We will continue to fight back against SpaceX because the Estoke Guna Nation is a custodian of our water, air, land, and traditional ways of protecting our rights in South Texas.”
ValleyCentral has reached out to TCEQ for comment on the lawsuit. However, media relations experts responded that TCEQ cannot comment on pending litigation.
