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- calendar_today October 20, 2026
Governor Responds to Reports on Boca Chica State Park Sale
Governor Greg Abbott stated that a potential sale of Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX is not on the near-term agenda, following reports last week about possible discussions concerning the transfer of public land in Cameron County. Abbott addressed the issue at a news conference on Monday, noting he had limited knowledge of any details regarding the sale and underscoring his commitment to state park preservation.
Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Position
The Texas Monthly previously reported that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department commission might discuss the sale of 1,300 acres of public land, including Boca Chica State Park, during a closed-door session at their November 5 meeting. However, Stephanie Garcia, a spokesperson for Texas Parks and Wildlife, clarified that the commission is not considering the sale of the Boca Chica property at the upcoming meeting.
Abbott Emphasizes Preservation of State Parks
Governor Abbott highlighted his administration’s ongoing efforts to expand the state park system. "No state in America has been adding more parkland than what I’ve done and what Texas has done; I want to continue to preserve our parkland in the state of Texas," Abbott said. He also stressed his priority of ensuring the state follows what has been signed into law with respect to public lands and parkland preservation.
SpaceX’s History and Recent Land Deal Discussions
Boca Chica State Park comprises over 1,055 acres of largely undeveloped dunes, marshes, and coastal grassland along the Gulf Coast, about three miles from the mouth of the Rio Grande. The area was chosen by SpaceX in 2014 as a rocket launch site due to its remote location. Since then, SpaceX has purchased privately owned land nearby for its operations, though past attempts at securing public land have faced obstacles.
In 2024, the Texas Parks and Wildlife commission approved a land swap with SpaceX to transfer 43 acres from Boca Chica State Park in exchange for 477 acres adjacent to Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. SpaceX later withdrew from the deal. The company remains interested in potential land acquisitions, but no firm proposals for additional public land sales are before the Parks and Wildlife commission at this time.
Community Opposition and Environmental Concerns
The prospect of selling or transferring Boca Chica land to SpaceX has sparked criticism and concern among local residents and environmental advocates. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, a Brownsville native, spoke against any sale, referencing personal and public connections to the area and criticizing what she described as the governor’s favoritism toward corporate interests. Environmental activists have also raised objections, citing negative impacts from rocket launches on the local environment and wildlife. Efforts to block SpaceX’s land acquisition through legal challenges have so far been unsuccessful.
Current Status and Outlook
Neither SpaceX nor the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have issued new statements on the issue, and Cameron County officials have not commented. The matter remains under observation, with no immediate action scheduled by the Parks and Wildlife commission regarding a sale or transfer of Boca Chica State Park lands. Governor Abbott’s comments underscore an intention to focus on park preservation and state law compliance as further discussions unfold.
Source: mysanantonio.com.
