California Coastal Commission signs off on more SpaceX launches, but with conditions

California coastal commissioners have signed off on plans to increase the number of rocket launches out of Vandenberg Space Force Base but did so with conditions.

Included on their list, federal officials would beef up wildlife monitoring, look for ways to limit the effects of sonic booms and pay when debris falls into the ocean. Before the California Coastal Commission met in Calabasas Thursday, however, base officials had already rejected some of what was proposed.

"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," Commissioner Justin Cummings said during the meeting at King Gillette Ranch.

The planned expansion at the base located along the Santa Barbara County coast would increase the number of launches in the SpaceX Falcon 9 program from six to 36 per year. Depending on the trajectory and atmospheric conditions, officials say sonic booms from the launches affect areas in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

While the launches take place on federal land, the commission regulates the coastal zone and reviews whether the project is consistent with state rules.

On Thursday, commissioners unanimously agreed that was the case but only with all seven conditions proposed by their staff. Even if those conditions are unmet, the commission cannot prevent the project from moving forward.

Another review — one that includes an increase to 50 launches a year — is expected to go to the commission no later than October.

What conditions did the commission include?

A conditional determination also was proposed in April . But the commission delayed a decision partly because of new information from the public that sonic booms could be heard and felt as far as Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

Models have since showed one of the rockets' trajectories was more problematic than others. Beginning in May, base officials also started field surveys in Ventura and elsewhere and launched a public notification system .

Conditions approved by commissioners this week included developing plans for:

• An enhanced biological monitoring program on the Vandenberg Space Force Base to evaluate the effects of engine noise and sonic booms from launches and boost-back landings.
• To limit the extent and severity of sonic booms caused by launches.
• An air acoustic and biological monitoring program for areas outside of Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Air Force officials agreed to four other conditions which included:

• A lighting management plan for night launches.
• Improving coastal access at nearby beaches and parks.
• Annual payments by SpaceX of $20 per pound of unrecoverable marine debris. Funds would be split between the UC Davis Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project and other organizations.
• A communication plan with the commercial and recreational fishing industry.

How did Air Force officials respond?

Regarding monitoring on base, Air Force officials say federal regulations and protections preempt the commission imposing additional measures, according to the commission's report of their response. Monitoring would continue as required by the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Commission staff, however, said they found gaps and needed improvements to those requirements.

On-base monitoring also would be sufficient to detect any unknown impacts, according to the commission's summary of the Air Force response. Regarding the third condition, base officials said a report on sonic booms submitted in late July provided a complete summary of their impacts.

Vandenberg officials have engaged with the commission and its staff since March, Col. Dorian Hatcher, a vice commander at the Space Force Base, said at Thursday's meeting . The base provided detailed information on launch activities, environmental programs and future developments. Officials met with the commission and its staff as well as hosted base visits, he said.

"We have diligently addressed numerous inquiries, providing comprehensive responses on each,” Hatcher said.

He hoped that their response to concerns and ongoing research on sonic booms have demonstrated the agency is committed to understanding and resolving these concerns jointly, he said. He wrapped up his five-minute statement, saying he would not take questions at Thursday’s meeting. When asked if that also applied to his staff, he said it did.

Commissioner Susan Lowenberg said that what was asked of the agency is what would be asked of anyone that came before the commission. That officials would be unwilling to even stand up and answer questions — “this is where you lose the public,” she said.

“We're here to protect the coast,” Lowenberg said. “That's what our job is, and when another agency of the government makes it impossible for us to just put even the most minor conditions on things, I mean, what are we all doing?”

Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260 .

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: California Coastal Commission signs off on more SpaceX launches, but with conditions