The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that environmental groups do not have the right to sue for public beach access, after multiple beaches closed during SpaceX rocket launches.
What were the details of the lawsuit?
Environmental group SaveRGV argued the closures violated the Texas Constitution, which guarantees public access and use of state beaches. However, a 2013 state law authorized SpaceX to close Boca Chica Beach in Cameron Country during rocket launches as a safety precaution.
What are people saying?
- Court decision: “The trial court was thus correct to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction"
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton: "Texas law allows for portions of a beach to be secured for Texans’ safety, which is exactly what’s needed to ensure SpaceX has a safe and operational launch site"
The Texas Supreme Court sided unanimously with SpaceX and the General Land Office, dismissing the lawsuit, siding with a former judge's decision in 2021.
SaveRGV initially sued the Texas General Land Office, Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and Cameron County arguing the beach and State Highway 4, the only access road, were improperly closed during the launches.
However, a 2013 amendment to the Open Beaches Act guaranteed the General Land Office could license SpaceX to close the beach during launches.
Additionally, the Open Beaches Act specifies there is no private right to sue.
“The trial court was thus correct to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction,” the decision stated.
Attorney General Ken Paxton supported the ruling.
“Texas law allows for portions of a beach to be secured for Texans’ safety, which is exactly what’s needed to ensure SpaceX has a safe and operational launch site,” Paxton wrote on X.
SpaceX can continue to close the beach for rocket launches, according to the ruling.
