SpaceX’s sprawling Starbase campus may be growing to dominate a vast stretch of South Texas — but it’s not alone.
South Padre Island, a major vacation destination, and the town of Port Isabel are located 5 miles from the launchpad for Starship, the largest rocket ever made. Dozens of local residents are suing the company, claiming property damage caused by launches. A billboard outside of Port Isabel also solicits claimants.
Brendon Vela, a local resident who lives near the marina, said that his house shakes during the launches.
But property damage isn’t his only concern. “This community really cares about sea turtles,” Vela said.
Wild ocelots and migrating birds also roam vast stretches of wildlife reserves — areas that have shrunk as SpaceX has purchased land.
Jared Hockema, city manager of Port Isabel, told CNN in a Thursday interview that this area has long been a destination for ecotourism. But he’s concerned about how SpaceX’s activities may be affecting that ecosystem as well as homes and historical sites — which include a Civil War battleground and a 174-year-old lighthouse.
“During some of the launches, the top of the lighthouse sways,” Hockema said. “We don’t know the long-term impact of these launches, given that they’re so large, they’re so close, and there’s so many happening over time.”
Hockema added that he is not opposed to SpaceX. But community members want their concerns heard.
“I certainly wouldn’t say that there’s been any change in what they do based on anything that we’ve raised,” he said. “That’s for sure.”