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CC 2024-07-23_09i Letter of Support of SpaceX Operations at VandenbergItem 9.i. MEMORANDUM TO: City Council FROM: Matthew Downing, City Manager SUBJECT: Letter of Support of SpaceX Operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Behalf of the City of Arroyo Grande DATE: July 23, 2024 RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the Mayor to execute a letter of support of SpaceX operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base on behalf of the City of Arroyo Grande. IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES: No financial impact is projected as a result of sending the letter of support. BACKGROUND: Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) is the only launch site on the West Coast of the United States and is viewed as the nation’s primary launch site for putting rockets into polar orbit. The United States Government relies on launces from VSFB for critical national security missions. The U.S. Government has extensively detailed the need to increase its use of commercial space launch and commercial orbit capacity in support of the national defense from VSFB. In order to meet these policy goals, the United State s Space Force (USSF) has proposed increasing the number of annual launches that take place at VSFB. The USSF indicates that there is a critical need for increased launch capacity at VSFB. One of the final steps in the approval process for this increased launch capacity is permitting through the California Coastal Commission (CCC) in accordance with the California Coastal Act of 1976. The CCC has previously approved up to 36 l aunches per year for SpaceX, one of the commercial space launch operators at VSFB requesting additional launch capacity at VSFB. However, concerns have been raised by the CCC regarding impacts to coastal resources and coastal access as a result of increased launches at VSFB, including environmental impacts and beach closures associated with increased launches. Page 181 of 184 Item 9.i. City Council Letter of Support of SpaceX Operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Behalf of the City of Arroyo Grande July 23, 2024 Page 2 ANALYSIS OF ISSUES: The emerging space and aerospace industry on the Central Coast is a major driver for the growth of the local economy and is a major component of the REACH 2030 10-year action plan for the Central Coast economy. Increasing the frequency of launches at VSFB would bring additional economic benefits to the region through direct and indirect job creation, increased opportunities for small businesses, and enhanced infrastructure development. One of the concerns over increased launches is the impacts to coastal resources. The USSF works with launch companies to mitigate environmental impacts, including engaging in stringent monitoring. However, even when impacts are minimized, increased SpaceX operations at VSFB could disrupt local wildlife habitats. Additionally, increased operations are seen to have the potential of increased beach closures in the vicinity of VSFB. Additionally, beach closures are also minimized to the maximum extent possible and ample coastal access is available in surrounding regions. ALTERNATIVES: The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration: 1. Approve the letter of support for SpaceX operations at VSFB and authorize the Mayor to sign the letter; 2. Do not approve the letter of support for SpaceX operations at VSFB; or 3. Provide other direction to staff. ADVANTAGES: The regional economic benefits, increases to national security, and continued innovation in the aerospace industry are likely to result from the increased SpaceX operations at VSFB and could outweigh costs identified by the CCC. DISADVANTAGES: Increased SpaceX operations could increase impacts to coastal resources and coastal access due to additional launches per year. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: No environmental review is required for this item. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS: The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website i n accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Draft Letter of Support of SpaceX Operations at VSFB Page 182 of 184 ATTACHMENT 1 July xx, 2024 California Coastal Commission South Central Coast Division 89 S California Street #200 Ventura, CA 93001 RE: SpaceX Operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base Dear Members of the California Coastal Commission: First, I am writing with the official concurrence of the Arroyo Grande City Council. We understand that the Coastal Commission has concerns surrounding both environmental impacts and beach closures due to increased launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base. We applaud the Coastal Commission’s vigilance and mission. That being said, as the City of Arroyo Grande’s elected Council, we are writing to express our strong support for increasing the number of SpaceX launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The City of Arroyo Grande provides its residents with a high-quality of life, but our region has long struggled to create the type of head-of-household jobs that allow younger residents to afford to live here. As our economy continues to transition, we are dependent on new industries – like aerospace – continuing their growth to create the economic environment we need to thrive. As a smaller community on the Central Coast, growing our regional economy and creating m ore head-of-household jobs is one of our top priorities. The continued and expanded presence of SpaceX at Vandenberg SFB presents a significant opportunity. The increased frequency of launches will not only bolster our standing as a leader in aerospace and innovation, but it will also bring numerous economic benefits. The direct and indirect job creation, increased business for local vendors, and enhanced infrastructure development are all positive outcomes that will flow from this expansion. In addition to the economic impacts, the strategic importance of Vandenberg SFB for national security and space exploration cannot be overstated. Increasing the number of launches will enhance our capabilities in satellite deployment, scientific research, and national defense. This dovetails with California’s vision of being at the forefront of technological advancement and space exploration. The benefits of this initiative are substantial and align with our region’s broader economic goals, as well as our country’s national security. With regard to the goals of the Coastal Commission, we believe that the monitoring requirements already agreed to by SpaceX and the US Space Force will help limit the impacts of concern. As to Page 183 of 184 ATTACHMENT 1 the beach closures, we understand that the proposed launch increase will not require more beach closures at this time. In short, the regional economic benefits as stated above far outweigh the costs identified by the Coastal Commission. The increased launches do not eliminate the Coastal Commission’s influence. Rather, it presents an opportunity to work together for the betterment of all. The Arroyo Grande City Council urges the California Coastal Commission to approve the application for additional SpaceX launches at Vandenberg SFB. This initiative represents a vital step forward for our community, our state, and our nation. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, Mayor Caren Ray Russom City of Arroyo Grande Page 184 of 184