VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – -- Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Air Force (DAF) prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental effects associated with:
- The DAF’s authorization of the redevelopment of Space Launch Complex (SLC)-6 to support Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy operations, including launch and landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB);
- The DAF’s authorization of an increase in Falcon 9 launches and landings at VSFB and downrange landings in the Pacific Ocean; and
- The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) licensing Space Exploration Technologies Corporation’s (SpaceX) Falcon operations at VSFB and approval of related airspace closures.
In preparing the Draft EIS, the DAF evaluated a Proposed Action, Alternative 1, and a No Action Alternative. The successful completion of the environmental review process does not guarantee that the FAA would license SpaceX Falcon operations at VSFB and approval of related airspace closures. The project must also meet all FAA safety, risk, and indemnification requirements for the appropriate license.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Draft EIS is now available for public review and comment through July 7, 2025. The Draft EIS and its corresponding appendices are available for viewing or download on the project website at www.VSFBFalconLaunchEIS.com and at www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Environmental/EAS/. Hard copies are available to view at the following information repositories:
- Avenue Library, 606 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura, CA 93001
- E.P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St., Ventura, CA 93001
- Lompoc Public Library, 501 E. North Ave., Lompoc, CA 93436
- Ojai Library, 111 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023
- Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, CA 93454
- South Oxnard Branch Library, 4300 Saviers Road, Oxnard, CA 93033
- Vandenberg Space Force Base Library, 100 Community Loop, Building 10343A, Vandenberg SFB, CA 93437
The DAF welcomes the public’s participation during the 45-day Draft EIS public review and comment period from May 23, 2025, to July 7, 2025. The DAF requests comments on the Proposed Action and Draft EIS from elected officials; federal, state, and local agencies; Native American tribes; and interested members of the public.
The DAF is holding three in-person public hearings and a virtual public hearing to provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about the proposal and provide input. For more information about the in-person and virtual public hearings, please visit www.VSFBFalconLaunchEIS.com.
IN-PERSON PUBLIC HEARINGS (5 P.M. – 8 P.M. PACIFIC TIME)
- Tuesday, June 10, 2025: Four Points by Sheraton/Ventura Harbor Resort, 1050 Schooner Dr.,
Ventura, CA 93001
- Wednesday, June 11, 2025: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- Thursday, June 12, 2025: Hilton Garden Inn, 1201 North H St., Lompoc, CA 93436
In-person public hearings will begin at 5 p.m., starting with an open-house information session to allow attendees to view informational posters, speak with project representatives, and sign-up to provide an oral comment. Written comments can also be submitted at the in person public hearings. A Spanish interpreter will be available as needed.
The public hearing session will be called to order at 5:30 p.m. The DAF will provide a presentation about the proposal and the environmental impact analysis. The formal public oral comment session will begin at approximately 6 p.m. Each speaker will have up to three minutes to provide their comment. Oral comments will be transcribed by a stenographer for the public record.
VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING (6 P.M. – 8 P.M. PACIFIC TIME)
The DAF will hold a virtual public hearing, consisting of a presentation followed by a public comment session in which individuals will have the opportunity to provide oral comments on Zoom. The virtual public hearing will be recorded and comments transcribed for the public record. For more information about participating in the virtual public hearing, please visit www.VSFBFalconLaunchEIS.com.
If you require accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please submit your request by calling the VSFB Public Affairs Office at (805) 606-3595 no later than one week prior to the applicable hearing date.
SUBMITTING COMMENTS
The public is encouraged to submit comments during the Draft EIS public review and comment period from
May 23, 2025, through July 7, 2025. To ensure the DAF has sufficient time to consider public comments during the preparation of the Final EIS, please submit comments within the 45-day public comment period, which closes July 7, 2025. Public comments can be submitted in the following ways:
- In-person at one of the three in-person public hearings
- During the virtual public hearing
- Via comment form on the project website at: www.VSFBFalconLaunchEIS.com
- Mail to: ATTN: VSFB Falcon Launch EIS, c/o ManTech International Corporation,
420 Stevens Ave., Suite 100, Solana Beach, CA 92075
The DAF is committed to meaningful public involvement and will keep the public informed throughout the development of the EIS. Please help the DAF inform the community about the availability of the Draft EIS, public comment period, and in-person and virtual public hearings by sharing this information.
Visit the project website at www.VSFBFalconLaunchEIS.com to learn more about the project.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
If you are interested in attending the in-person public hearing, or for more information, please contact the SLD 30 Public Affairs Office at 805-606-3595 or sld30.pa.workflow@us.af.mil.
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