Federal judge rules

A federal judge refused to block the Trump administration from giving SpaceX more than 700 acres of wildlife refuge in Texas as part of a land swap.

“The swap amounts to a gift of public lands to SpaceX, "clearing the way for bulldozers to tear into this wildlife refuge as soon as next week and turn a public treasure into a private payday"”

Wildlife refuge details

The 103,000-acre Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge spans four Texas counties and protects animal habitats and historical landmarks.

Environmental groups oppose

Center for Biological Diversity and tribal groups filed a lawsuit claiming the swap threatens wildlife and historical sites in South Texas.

“This court order is not the final word. These lands hold incredible spiritual, historical and conservation value for the people and wildlife of South Texas”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The agency approved the land swap in June, stating it would cause no significant environmental harm and provide long-term conservation benefits.

Judge's reasoning

The judge found plaintiffs offered weak evidence of environmental harm and would disrupt SpaceX's development plans.

SpaceX expansion

SpaceX has expanded rapidly in Texas, with employees voting to incorporate their own local government called Starbase.