NASA Hears From Concerned Residents Over Proposed New Launch Pad
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — There is a battle brewing over possible plans to build a new launch pad on Kennedy Space Center’s property. One possible location is the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge near the Haulover Canal. But residents are speaking out against the proposed location because they say the land inside the refuge is a pristine habitat that needs to be preserved. “This is wrong and you guys know it,” said one man against the proposed location. More than 100 people packed a public meeting to let NASA know that they don’t want a new launch pad built on the property. NASA officials said they are required by law to make space available for a private, commercial launch site. “Teddy Roosevelt would roll over in his grave. We need to protect what we have” said another opponent of the site. NASA said the new launch pad would bring hundreds of jobs to the area and keep the U.S. from relying on Russia when the space shuttle retires. Some suggested NASA use abandoned property nearby at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Base. “We’re going to send them money, lay off thousands of workers and try to do this. It just doesn’t make sense,” said Greg Hullinger, a Titusville resident. Residents say a new launch pad would destroy the pristine habitat and limit access to the unique landscape. “It’s like putting a Starbucks in the Vatican,” said one man. “There’s an appropriate place for anything.” NASA says it doesn’t have jurisdiction over the Cape Canaveral property. They still need an environmental impact report and a private company to come up with a proposal. The launch pad also impacts Volusia County. Two public hearings will be held at the New Smyrna Beach public library on Thursday.