FAA again delays final decision on Georgia spaceport permit
A federal agency said Wednesday it’s again delaying a final decision on permitting construction of a launchpad for commercial rockets on the Georgia coast.
The Federal Aviation Administration now plans to issue a decision on Spaceport Camden by Nov. 3. Previously, the FAA intended to decide by the end of July, then the end of September.
Camden County has spent nine years and $10 million seeking permission to build what would be the nation’s 13th licensed commercial spaceport. In June, an FAA environmental impact study concluded the spaceport would be its “preferred alternative.”
The National Park Service and its parent agency, the U.S. Department of the Interior, disputed the FAA’s conclusion that the spaceport poses minimal risks or adverse impacts to Cumberland Island, a federally protected wilderness that lies along the proposed flight path. Known for wild horses and nesting sea turtles, Cumberland Island draws about 60,000 visitors each year.
In a July 22 letter to the FAA, the Interior Department said a chance of rockets exploding and raining fiery debris onto the island creates an “unacceptable risk.”
Local officials say the county of 55,000 people would get a soaring economic boost by joining the commercial space race.