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Trump Considers Giving Elon Musk's SpaceX Federally Protected Land in Deal Despite Conservation Concerns

The Trump administration is considering a deal to transfer acres of federally protected land to SpaceX as conservationists raise concerns about its impact on the area.

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In this image we can see group of animals on the ground. On the right side of the image we can see...
In this image we can see group of animals on the ground. On the right side of the image we can see a fence. To the left side of the image we can see a container placed on the ground, barricade, a vehicle parked on the ground. In the background, we can see a group of buildings, trees, metal storage containers and the sky.

Trump Considers Giving Elon Musk's SpaceX Federally Protected Land in Deal Despite Conservation Concerns

The Trump administration is considering a land swap that would transfer over 775 acres of federally protected wildlife refuge to SpaceX. In return, the company would hand over 692 acres elsewhere in Cameron County, Texas. Officials claim the deal could bring conservation benefits, but environmentalists and historians have raised concerns about its impact.

The proposed exchange involves land within the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, near SpaceX’s Boca Chica launch site. This area includes coastal prairie, tidal flats, and wetlands—critical habitats for endangered species like the piping plover and ocelot, as noted in a 2014 environmental assessment. The refuge also protects the jaguarundi, another rare mammal.

The land in question also overlaps with the Palmito Ranch Battlefield, the site of the Civil War’s final battle. Indigenous archaeological remains and Spanish colonial-era structures may exist in the area, though the exact risks to these relics remain unclear in public records.

Under the deal, SpaceX would transfer 692 acres to the government, expanding the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. A Fish and Wildlife Service official described the swap as a potential 'net conservation benefit', arguing it could improve protections for local fish and wildlife. However, conservationists worry the move could harm existing habitats and disrupt wildlife corridors, especially as new border wall construction in the region adds further pressure.

If approved, the land transfer would reshape parts of the refuge while adding new areas to federal protection. The deal’s long-term effects on endangered species, historical sites, and habitat connectivity will depend on how the exchanged lands are managed. Environmental groups continue to monitor the proposal’s progress.

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