Conservation groups in Texas are taking action to prevent a land swap between SpaceX and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The deal would give SpaceX 715 acres of land in the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in exchange for 683 acres of private land adjacent to the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.

Concerns Over Wildlife and Historic Sites

The groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, Save RGV, and the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, are concerned about the potential impact on the diverse wildlife in the area, including the endangered ocelot. They also argue that the land swap would harm historic sites, such as the Palmito Ranch Battlefield National Historic Landmark.

The Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, a nonprofit indigenous group, has joined the lawsuit, citing the sacred nature of the land. Although the tribe is not officially recognized by the federal government, they are seeking to protect the land and its cultural significance.

Environmental and Historic Preservation Concerns

The lawsuit alleges that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act by approving the land exchange. The groups argue that the agency’s environmental analysis did not meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and that the agency worked with SpaceX to come up with “unfounded” scores to rate the land.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has signed a programmatic agreement with SpaceX, the Texas Historic Commission, and the National Park Service to manage historic properties. However, the conservation groups are concerned that this agreement does not go far enough to protect the historic values of the land.

Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.