Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from granting SpaceX over 700 acres of wildlife refuge land in Texas. The land swap would exchange 683 acres owned by SpaceX for federal land in the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which spans four counties along the Texas border.

Concerns Over Ecological Risks

The lawsuit claims that the land swap would exacerbate ecological risks to the Gulf Coast region, which is already impacted by SpaceX’s rocket operations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved the land swap, stating that it would cause no significant impact to the area and would provide a ‘net conservation benefit’.

SpaceX has been expanding its operations in Texas, with employees voting to incorporate their own local government, Starbase, last year. The company has faced criticism from opponents who are concerned about lost beach access and the risks associated with exploding rockets.

The lawsuit was filed as SpaceX prepares to go public, which could make its CEO, Elon Musk, the world’s first trillionaire. The company did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.