The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE 

Tribune Chief Reporter 

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH a SpaceX report released yesterday concluded that booster landings in The Bahamas are expected to have minimal impact on marine life, water quality, and local ecosystems, environmentalists argued that the document is insufficient and cannot substitute for a full environmental impact assessment (EIA).

The Environmental Baseline Statement (EBS), submitted by BRON, a local consulting firm, on behalf of SpaceX last March, was made public by the Davis administration yesterday following calls for transparency around the environmental impact of SpaceX’s operations in The Bahamas.

The document’s release came after The Bahamas on Tuesday became the first country outside the United States to host a successful landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster, which touched down on a drone ship in Exuma Sound. It was the first of 20 landings planned for the country.

Environmentalists wel- comed the disclosure as a step toward transpar- ency but maintained that a comprehensive EIA is still necessary to assess the risks and ensure robust governance.

In a letter to Tourism Minister Chester Cooper, several environmental groups, including the Baha- mas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation (BREEF), Friends of the Environment, and Earth- Care, requested the release of the EIA, the environ- mental management plan, and details on economic impact and compensation.

The letter said that while the community welcomes innovation and economic progress, proactive and ongoing engagement with stakeholders is essential, particularly for projects with potential human and environmental impact.

An EBS differs from an EIA in that it pri- marily compiles existing environmental data rather than assessing the poten- tial effects of a project in detail. The document out- lines baseline conditions but does not include a full analysis of potential risks, mitigation measures, or extensive consultation with

stakeholders.

Key findings from the EBS indicate that booster landings on an offshore drone ship are not expected to disturb the seafloor or marine ecosystems nor affect water quality or local habitats.

The report referenced previous studies showing that the offshore benthic environment in Exuma Sound consists mainly of sandy seabeds, occasional seagrass meadows, and patch reefs in shallow areas.

However, it acknowledged that its research relied on existing studies, citing time constraints preventing additional data collection.

For instance, depth verification soundings were not conducted within two weeks as the necessary equipment was not readily available in The Bahamas.

A marine traffic survey found low vessel activity in the designated landing area, reducing risks to commercial and recreational boats. The report said landing activity is brief and that launches must be delayed if vessels are present.

It also acknowledged potential marine environmental risks from debris, including up to 300 gallons of liquid propellant in the event of an anomaly. However, this was deemed a negligible hazard, as most propellant is expected to combust, disperse into the atmosphere, or dissipate in the ocean within hours.

“SpaceX emergency response procedures include the salvage of any floating debris in the water and sinking large pieces of debris that are unsafe to collect or cannot be retrieved,” the report said.

Regarding water quality, the assessment found no expected impact from the rocket’s exhaust. The engine burn lasts only a few seconds and does not produce harmful emissions that could lead to acid deposition.

Recovery operations are also not expected to alter pH levels or other water quality parameters.

Similarly, the report concluded that long-term impacts on air quality are unlikely. It noted that the Falcon rocket’s liquid engines, which use RP-1 and liquid oxygen (LOX) as propellants, emit CO2, CO, water vapour, and carbon particulates. However, due to the brief duration of the landing burn, these emissions are not expected to have lasting effects on regional air quality.

Unlike other launch vehicles that use solid rocket motors, the report said the Falcon does not produce significant nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, or other exhaust byproducts that could contribute to acid deposition.

The report also found that noise disturbances to wildlife and communities would be minimal, provided exposure does not exceed 30 minutes to two hours per day. Bird strikes were deemed unlikely, as the duration and sound of the flight are expected to keep birds away.

“A sonic boom of approximately one pound per square foot, similar to a clap of thunder, may be heard by populated areas but would last for less than a second,” the report noted. “Noise propagation is heavily influenced by atmospheric conditions at the time of landing, thus the sound heard at one location may differ between missions.”

Most of the rocket’s fuel will be expended before entering Bahamian airspace, indicating that an in-air explosion would pose little risk of a fuel spill.

The retrieval process is also expected to have a minimal environmental impact due to its small scale and the isolated nature of the area.

In worst-case scenarios, SpaceX said its emergency response plan includes salvaging floating debris and sinking large pieces that are unsafe to collect. A SpaceX vessel would be stationed on-site to respond to any anomalies, with the company assuming all recovery-related costs.