SpaceX has initiated the state and federal permitting process toward development of its private, commercial vertical launch complex at Boca Chica in Cameron County, according to public records.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has approved a request from Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies for a construction general permit to discharge stormwater. Furthermore, “we have been working with the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) regarding the Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality certification review for the Space Exploration Technologies facility in Cameron County,” TCEQ spokesman Terry Clawson said. The Corps on Sept. 2 submitted a Memorandum of Record for TCEQ’s review, Clawson said.
TCEQ reviewed the document to ensure the project complies with Texas Surface Water Quality standards, he said. TCEQ issued the state Section 401 water quality certification letter dated Sept. 11, 2014, which allows the Corps to move forward issuing a Section 404 federal permit for this project.

 

EMMA PEREZ-TREVIÑO