NASA is proposing two alternatives for a private spacecraft launch site which would result in significant habitat destruction on and near the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Canaveral National Seashore in Brevard County. At least one of the proposed sites could also cause closure of public access to cherished areas of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge that are some of the top birdwatching sites in the nation.

Florida Scrub-jay

NASA is undertaking an "Environmental Assessment" under the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate the environmental impact of these alternative sites. However, Audubon’s review of NASA’s site selection effort reveals NASA has not adequately addressed (1) wildlife impacts of these proposals, (2) the devastating potential impacts to the local economy, and (3) other possible sites in the area. In fact, the evaluation appears to have arbitrarily and prematurely excluded already disturbed sites on adjacent Air Force property from consideration. Audubon considers both Sites 1 and 2 to be unacceptable and is calling on NASA to identify new alternatives from those prematurely excluded from consideration.