A federal judge has denied a request to halt the Trump administration’s plan to transfer over 700 acres of federal wildlife refuge land in Texas to SpaceX. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., allows the land exchange to move forward despite objections from environmental and tribal groups.
The plaintiffs had sought a preliminary injunction, arguing that the land deal could pose environmental risks to the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Under the agreement, SpaceX would exchange 683 acres of its land for a portion of the federal property, which is part of the 103,000-acre refuge and is located near SpaceX’s rocket launch site on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Environmental and tribal groups opposing the transfer have expressed concerns about potential impacts on wildlife habitats, historical sites, and public access. Despite the court’s ruling, they plan to continue their legal battle, citing ongoing environmental and cultural risks.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had previously determined that the land exchange would not lead to significant environmental damage. The agency suggested that the deal could enhance long-term conservation efforts and improve habitat connectivity in the South Texas region.
In his ruling, Judge Rodriguez noted the lack of sufficient evidence from the plaintiffs to demonstrate that the land would suffer irreparable harm during the ongoing litigation. He also highlighted that blocking the land exchange could disrupt SpaceX’s development plans and contractual obligations.
The lawsuit challenging the land transfer remains active, as the legal dispute over the implications for the wildlife refuge and SpaceX’s expansion plans is yet to be resolved.