Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment Falcon 9 Cadence Increase at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California and Offshore Landing Locations

Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment Falcon 9 Cadence Increase at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California and Offshore Landing Locations

Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the proposed increase in the Falcon 9 annual launch cadence at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) and additional downrange offshore landing locations on the Pacific Ocean. Under the Proposed Action, SpaceX would launch the Falcon 9 at VSFB up to 36 times per year. Following each launch, SpaceX would perform a boost-back and landing of the first stage up to 36 times, either downrange on a droneship or at VSFB. No more than 12 first stage landings would occur at VSFB per year. There would be no change to the Falcon 9 specifications or launch/landing facilities, which are currently conducted at VSFB. The SEA analyzed the potential environmental consequences of activities associated with the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Based on the analysis, neither the Proposed Action nor the No Action Alternative would result in individual or cumulatively significant impacts to any resources. Specific environmental resources with the potential for environmental consequences include: air quality, climate, noise, biological resources, water resources, cultural resources, coastal zone management, Department of Transportation Section 4(f) properties, utilities, socioeconomics, and transportation. The No Action Alternative would result in impacts less than the Proposed Action; however, it would not meet the Proposed Action’s purpose and need. Environmental protection measures that are incorporated into the Proposed Action (identified as required in the SEA) would be implemented to avoid and/or minimize the potential adverse impacts. Discretionary environmental protection measures may further reduce potential impacts of the Proposed Action.

Goleta, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria

Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura

Countywide, Northern California, Southern California

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Coastal Commission (CCC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marin Region 7 (CDFW), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5 (CDFW), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 5 (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Coast Region 3 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Office of Historic Preservation, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality

Other (Proposed Action does not include new development)

Space Launch Vehicle Program

Air Quality, Biological Resources, Coastal Zone, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Economics/Jobs, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hydrology/Water Quality, Noise, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities/Service Systems, Wetland/Riparian