January 25, 2021

This serves as notification from the State of Georgia Coastal Management Program (GCMP), in accordance with 16 U.S.C. §1456 and 15 C.F.R. 930.61, of receipt of a redacted version of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Launch Site Operators License (LSOL) application and Coastal Consistency Certification from the Camden County Board of Commissioners. The license would allow Camden County to construct a commercial space launch site, Spaceport Camden, and offer the site to commercial operators to conduct launches of liquid-fueled, small-lift class proven (not unproven/experimental) orbital and sub-orbital vertical launch vehicles. The proposed issuance of this FAA LSOL is subject to review for consistency with GCMP’s enforceable policies. Future launch operators would be required to obtain a launch license from the FAA that would be subject to separate review for consistency.

The proposed activity includes construction of four facilities and associated infrastructure on approximately 100 non-contiguous acres of an existing commercial site owned by Union Carbide Corporation that contains approximately 1,200 acres of upland and 2,800 acres of saltmarsh/tidal waters located approximately 11.5 miles east of the City of Woodbine in Camden County, Georgia. The applicant is considering purchasing an adjacent 7,800-acre parcel owned by Bayer CropScience. Operation of the facility would consist of up to 12 launches, up to 12 static fire engine tests and 12 wet dress rehearsals of a small-lift class liquid propellant launch vehicle per year. One of the 12 launches could be at night.

The redacted LSOL application, Coastal Consistency Certification, and GCMP’s Enforceable Policies are available at the links below. The FAA Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is available at https://www.faa.gov/space/environmental/nepa_docs/camden_eis  A list of Program changes to the GCMP that affect current enforceable policies is available at https://coast.noaa.gov/czmprogramchange/#/public/home (click on  Filter by Program and then select Georgia).

The GCMP is reviewing the information provided to ensure the proposed activities authorized by the FAA are consistent with Georgia’s enforceable environmental policies. Comments specific to GCMP’s enforceable policies regarding this project should be submitted in writing to Diana Taylor, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or emailed to CRD.Comments@dnr.ga.gov and must be received by the close of business March 8, 2021.

Click Here To View Coastal Consistency Certification

Click Here To View GCMP Chapter 5

Click Here To View Redacted FAA LSOL Application Part 1

Click  Here To View Redacted FAA LSOL Application Part 2

Click Here To View Redacted FAA LSOL Application Part 3

Click Here To View Redacted FAA LSOL Application Part 4