Environmental Impact Study~The Specifics of Boca Chica Beach, Highway 4 Closures

Highway 4 Nearing the Dunes of Boca Chica
(Brownsville Herald photo)

Someday, we may know the reality of Boca Chica Beach closures during SpaceX launches, mission aborts, wet dress rehearsals, weather postponements, etc., but, for now, all we have are the representations made to the FAA.

According to the just-released EIS, the duration of beach closures would be a maximum of 15 hours with 6 hours typical.  It is explained the 15 hour window allows for mission aborts.  

Closures for "wet dress rehearsals" would "typically be 3 hours or less."  Whatever the reason for a closure, whether aborted mission, weather postponement or launch, those closures cannot exceed 12 per year nor can the total hours of beach closure exceed 180 hours annually.(180 divided by 24= 7.5 Earth days)

During a beach closure, SpaceX and local law enforcement will monitor Hwy 4 east of the "soft" checkpoint, roughly 14-16 miles.

SpaceX  will also monitor the beach with video, an ATV, SUV or unmanned aerial vehicle(drone).  Such drones are described as small(3 ft. in diameter) and quiet.  

Following a launch, naturalists will be given one hour to check sea turtle nests before the beach is opened to the public after which checkpoint barriers will be raised.