BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A major spaceflight company is asking for a new permit to get rid of wastewater from rocket testing, cleaning, and cooling.
The controversy is that those thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater from Blue Origin would wind up in the Indian River Lagoon.
This month, the company launched its New Glenn rocket for just the second time.
Now, Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection is preparing to allow the company to discharge thousands of gallons of wastewater every day, according to a public notice released by the state on Nov. 18.
Blue Origin said it will do so responsibly and said the permit from the DEP is just renewing an existing agreement, but some locals are sharing unfavorable opinions on a Change.org petition.
“This is insane,” one person commented about their concerns for wildlife and exposure to chemicals.
[WATCH: Should Brevard County renew tax to clean Indian River Lagoon?]
Meanwhile, Brevard County wants to continue asking taxpayers to clean up the Indian River Lagoon.
County commissioners could add a new 10-year lagoon tax to the ballot next Election Day.
News 6 has shared stories of several groups currently engaged in massive cleanup efforts that include planting seagrass, rebuilding oyster beds and dredging.
Pollution in the Indian River Lagoon is believed to be responsible for fishkills, manatee starvation, and threats to other wildlife.
[WATCH: Brevard Zoo team celebrates seagrass milestone crucial to Indian River Lagoon]
Supporters of renewing the tax say it could take decades to cleanup the lagoon.
On Friday, Cape Canaveral Community Correspondent James Sparvero talked to Colonel Brian Chatman after the Space Force celebrated Florida’s 100th launch of the year.
By 2035, the colonel said there could be a launch almost every day.
“How do you balance that many launches with concerns that the public may have related to infrastructure, related to environmental concerns?” Sparvero asked.
“By law, we have various procedures that we work through, things like environmental impact studies,” Colonel Chatman answered. “On top of that, public awareness, bringing that into opportunities like this to tell that story out to the local community, how awesome the Space Coast is, and how pertinent this capability is to national security.”
People can request a public meeting about the draft permit that could influence the agreement.
If you want to submit written comments or submit a written request for a public hearing, those can be sent to Randall Cunningham, 3319 Maguire Blvd., Suite 232, Orlando, Florida 32803-3767.
The comments or requests must include the following:
(a) The commenter’s name, address, and telephone number; the applicant’s name and address; the Department permit file number; and the county in which the project is proposed;
(b) A statement of how and when notice of the Department’s action or proposed action was received;
(c) A statement of the facts the Department should consider in making the final decision;
(d) A statement of which rules or statutes require reversal or modification of the Department’s action or proposed action; and
(e) If desired, a request that a public meeting be scheduled, including a statement of the nature of the issues proposed to be raised at the meeting.
The state must receive those written comments or requests within 30 days of the notice publication date.
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