Members of the California Coastal Commission reluctantly granted conditional concurrence for SpaceX to boost the number of launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base to 36 annually, but the panel sought beefed up monitoring and other measures.

Meeting in Calabasas on Thursday and after hearing from local officials pushing for support and other commenters urging opposition, the commissioners unanimously approved the staff’s recommendation that included seven conditions relating to environmental impacts. 

However, U.S. Space Force representatives rejected three of the conditions — improving on-base biological resource monitoring, implementing specific sonic boom avoidance and minimization measures, and monitoring off-base biological resource for sonic booms.

Col. Dorian Hatcher, vice commander for operations at Vandenberg’s Space Launch Delta 30, said the military’s environmental protection efforts include a staff of 40 people for the installation that boasts 42 miles of coastline.

“It’s important to highlight that we are safeguarding the environment at Vandenberg not only to achieve a concurrence for this consistency determination,” Hatcher said. “We do so, and have continually done so, because we are committed stewards, responsible members of the community, and we recognize it is not only our responsibility but our duty.”

As Vandenberg expands operations, the Air Force has committed to completing a comprehensive environmental impact study on increasing SpaceX launches to 100 annually, he added. That analysis also will include a comprehensive look at cumulative impacts of the busy cadence for all launch firms.  

At the end of his statement, Hatcher said he and other base representatives would not answer any questions, irking commissioners who viewed it as intentional disrespect.  

“The notion that we actually have real oversight is kind of a joke,” Commissioner Susan Lowenberg said. “Thank for that. The fact that a representative from our own government won’t even stand up and answer basic questions is another joke.”

Still, she noted, the commission’s approval of all seven conditions meant the military ultimately would be in violation of three, “and then we can go forward from there.”

Deputy Director Cassidy Teufel said staff identified gaps and needed improvements in the base’s monitoring program. Needed improvements that staff suggested include, for instance, a lack of launch-specific monitoring on how seals and sea lions react.

“They’re not looking anymore at what’s actually happening to them when a rocket goes up, when they’re subject to the sonic booms and they’re subject to engine noise,” Teufel said.
“We think that’s really important to understand.”

The commissioners have chafed at the limited review they have of SpaceX launches at Vandenberg since the military considers all liftoffs — private payloads or government satellites — as federal activities. That designation avoids SpaceX having to get a coastal development permit and limits the commissioners’ role.

“Whether we support or oppose this today, Space Force can move forward along with SpaceX and conduct their launches,” Commissioner Justin Cummings said. “I think what we’re trying to do today is to ensure that when these launches take place that they’re being done in a way that minimizes impacts to our natural environment and tries to mitigate those impacts to the greatest extent possible.”

He encouraged California Coastal Commission staff to continue exploring whether the SpaceX activity should fall under the federal rules instead of requiring its own coastal development permits, noting the increasing number of private satellites compared with those with government payload.

Before the vote, a number of local officials urged via letter or in-person comments that commissioners approve or reject the request.

“Every economic development conversation we have recognizes a critical role of the increased intensity and frequency of commercial space launches as a cornerstone of our diversified and resilient local economy,” said Santa Barbara County Fourth District Supervisor Bob Nelson, whose district includes a large section of Vandenberg. 

Ana Citrin of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy said the organization doesn’t oppose Vandenberg launches.

“However, it is essential that the increase in launch activity is carried out at a pace and in a manner that preserves the ecological integrity of the base and the Gaviota Coast and surrounding coastal areas more broadly,” she said. 

The commissioners’ approval included four other conditions — creation of a lighting management plan for night launches plus previously agreed upon coastal access and recreational enhancement measures. 

Those new measures included installing satellite internet service at Jalama Beach County Park, placing signage at Highway 1 to reveal the park’s status, limiting temporary closures of the beach to 12 or fewer, and launching a third-grade field trip program for Lompoc students.

While Falcons’ large components are recycled, other rockets are disposed of in the ocean after launches. SpaceX will be required to pay $20 for each pound of unrecoverable marine debris generated as a result of launch and landing activities. That includes the release of weather balloons in advance of a launch and/or landing activities occurring in state waters.

The funds will be divided among the UC-Davis Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project and a nonprofit group focused on removal of hazardous waste from the ocean or battery/electronic waste recycling efforts.

A seventh condition requires a Commercial and Recreational Fishing Coordination Plan outlining communication protocols regarding launch activity that could affect the industry. 

Thursday’s meeting wasn’t the end of the topic. 

The military expects to return within months to consider a SpaceX request to conduct 50 launches a year from the base.