Message from Torry Tvedt, 11/12/06

The weekend launches of the Tripoli Amateur Club have been completed. Following is a brief recap of the events.

1. Although the traffic on Entrance Road to the Brazoria NWR was fairly heavy during Saturday, the biggest hindrance to the launches was a brisk and steady wind. No launches were attempted until the afternoon. Of the small rockets that were launched, one fell in a lake and another fell extremely close to Entrance Road. Many launches were postponed until Sunday.
   
   
2. The wind was not a hindrance on Sunday. Although traffic on Entrance Road was probably heavier than on Saturday, it proved to be only a minimal deterrent to launches.
   
   
3. Numerous rockets veered far from the planned landing zone. Several strayed off of the GCRSDC spaceport leased property and feel into adjacent property. No permission had been obtained from these landowners. This generated hard feeling from the landowners toward Tripoli.
   
   
4. These occurrences probably constitute violations of FAA regulations [14 CFR 101 Subpart C §101.25 (g)]. This regulation states, "No person may operate an unmanned rocket – within 1,500 feet of any person or property that is not associated with the operations."
   
   
5. Some of the rockets were launched within 500 feet of Entrance Road. This action is also a probable violation of the regulation.
   
   
6. There were no confrontations between members of Tripoli and refuge visitors. The only confrontation was between Tripoli and landowners concerning retrieval of errant rockets that strayed far from their intended landing zone.

I feel that the events of this weekend clearly demonstrate that the hazards to the refuge and to nearby communities are very real. It should be kept in mind that the rockets that were fired during the weekend were quite small and the danger can be expected to only increase if larger rockets are ever fired from this location. If there was any doubt that the location chosen by the GCRSDC is unsuitable, the events of this weekend should dispel these
doubts.

Torry Tvedt
President
979-849-8725

Message from Laura Brandes to the membership, 11/10/06

I feel the need to add my "two cents" worth of opinion on the Refuge Friends vs. the Spaceport. I have no doubt that if this development meets its objectives that there will be an economic impact within the Brazosport area; however, the biggest impact will be wherever the Space Engineers are located which at this time is the NASA Space Center area that is within a reasonable commute distance. I have no doubt that the Economic Development Director has no precise answers to the impact on the environment and/or the economy since his job is more political than scientific. I look at the environmental impact of the Florida launch site and can only conclude that the flora and fauna have adapted nicely to the roar of the significantly larger shuttles and rockets that take off from these launch pads. Also, I have no doubt that the inevitable "failure to launch" will result in a negative impact on the surrounding land and/or water at which time lawsuits will prevail and the activity will cease because the liability will have become greater than the net gains--this is the "wave of change" in operation within today's litigious society.

The type of action suggested by the Friends is insignificant and childish. It does not represent the usual visitation to and usage of the BNWR. If the televised and print media cover this proposed action, the Friends will not have any "friends" as the group will look as if it is against free enterprise and Brazosport's economic development. To maximize political impact, the elected officials look at the numbers; therefore, individuals should be encouraged to send their message to these decision-makers with the assistance of the Friends providing a model communication and the appropriate titles with mailing addresses. (This is one time that snail mail has more impact then email.)

I regret that the Friends is being encouraged to take this action as the organization is not significant enough to impact the spaceport at this stage in the planning process. The group needs to use their energy to expand the refuge areas so that the forthcoming development coming south on 288 has as little negative impact as possible on the incredible acreage of natural habitat that we enjoy in the Brazosport area.

Laura Brandes

Message from Torry Tvedt to Edward Hunter, 11/10/06

I have received your e-mail and wish to state our position on this weekend’s planned activities and our position on the proposed Gulf Coast Regional Spaceport. Our position is not the result of a rush to judgment, but rather a position that evolved after an extensive effort to gather and understand as much factual information on the proposed spaceport as possible. This includes obtaining and thoroughly digesting all available contractors’ reports made to the Gulf Coast Regional Spaceport Development Corporation (GCRSDC), inviting the CEO of the GCRSDC to address our group to explain their plans for the spaceport, meeting with community business and political leaders, and regularly attending board meetings of the GCRSDC. Additionally, we are following the progress of three additional proposed U.S. commercial spaceports. Based on all of these data, we have come to the conclusion that this proposed project will have a significant and adverse impact on the Brazoria NWR and on the adjacent communities.

I would like to restate our position. The Friends support space development and consider it to be a national priority. We support the location chosen for three of the four proposed commercial spaceport projects that we have been following. We support the effort to diversify the economy of southern Brazoria County. However, we strongly believe that the location chosen for the Gulf Coast Regional Spaceport is completely inappropriate. We oppose this choice. I do not feel that our position is consistent with the term, "Luddite."

My suggestion that people visit the Brazoria NWR during the weekend is a lawful and non-confrontational way to demonstrate support for the refuge while also showing opposition to the location of the proposed spaceport. To do otherwise would concede the right of GCRSDC to intrude upon our rights to use the public use areas of the refuge. Keep in mind that amateur rocketry is but the first phase of the proposed project. Three additional phases are planned. Each subsequent phase is much more intrusive than the previous one.

I respect your right to take exception to my position. I invite you to contact me and explain your concerns. I promise to listen with an open mind. I ask in return that you give me an opportunity to explain my concerns and that you also listen with an open mind.

Torry Tvedt
President
Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges
979-849-8725

Message from Neal McLain to FOBWR Board, 11/10/06

Board:

With all due respect for Torry Tvedt, I don't think this is a good idea. I'd prefer a situation where we would work with the Tripoli Amateur Rocket club and similar groups, rather than trying to sabotage their events. As Edward Hunter pointed out, his group might indeed "be a great help towards forming a consensus on how to manage the area and how to prevent problems..." http://nothereplease.blogspot.com/

I move that we call off the proposed "steady stream of cars."

I also suggest that some of us might wish to attend as a group, watch what's going on, and introduce ourselves.

Neal McLain

Message from Shawn Meuth, 11/09/06

I had to read the original post twice, just to make sure I read it right. I agree with Edward...Luddites solve nothing, and that kind of thinking can only lead to trouble. I sincerely hope that you will all give a second thought to how you're being represented.

Thanks,
Shawn Meuth

Message from Edward H. Hunter III, 10/09/06

Gee, I feel that this is not a group that I wish to be associated with. Your attitude towards a group that could be a great help towards forming a consensus on how to manage the area and how to prevent problems is deplorable. I will be signing off this forum, Luddites are not whom I wish to be associated with.

Edward H. Hunter III
Houston, Texas

Message from Torry Tvedt, 11/09/06

Friends

The Tripoli Amateur Rocket club is planning to launch rockets from the Gulf Coast Spaceport Corp. site adjacent to the Brazoria NWR this weekend. They plan to launch on both Saturday and Sunday. Since they have agreed to suspend launches when one or more cars are close to the launch site on the entrance road to the Discovery Center, we would like to have a steady stream of cars all day, both days. Launches will be from about 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM on Sat. and from about 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM on Sun.

If you are able to fit a visit to the Brazoria NWR on one of both of these days, it might help convince the racketeers that the Brazoria site is not a good place to launch. If you do come, remember that there will be no parking on Entrance Road and any car parked there will be sited by refuge law enforcement. But there is no minimum speed, so you may drive-by slowly (and often).

In addition, ducks, geese, and other migratory birds are now showing up. Furthermore the weather promises to be beautiful. The Discovery Center will be open if you have not yet had an opportunity to see how the interactive display is shaping up.

Hope to see you this weekend.

Torry Tvedt
President
979-849-8725