Many Central Florida anglers are worried that a new commercial launch site being planned by NASA could impact access to Mosquito Lagoon, and the agency is holding open meetings this week to discuss the project and get feedback from the public.
NASA is deciding between one of two sites: one on the beach near the existing shuttle pads, and one north of the shuttle landing strip on the western shore of Mosquito Lagoon. The Mosquito Lagoon site is currently an undeveloped area of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge open to the public.
It is possible that the Mosquito Lagoon location could impact fishing access south of Haulover Canal, possibly permanently. NASA has yet to choose a site or release any plans detailing any closures, however.
Concerned anglers are encouraged to attend one of the two meetings with NASA. The meeting schedule is as follows:
February 25, Titusville City Council Chamber 6 p.m.
February 28, New Smyrna Beach Public Library, 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
You can also email comments to: KSC-CVLC@nasa.gov
More information on possible closures can be found here: http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/MerrittIslandNWR-PublicNotice.html
There is more detailed information about the project at the official NASA site: http://environmental.ksc.nasa.gov/projects/ksc-cvlc.htm
Please check back here for any updates.
