We are residents, workers, business owners, and community members from Florida’s Space Coast, specifically the Merritt Island area. We are asking that Port Canaveral pause any decisions about selling or committing the Port-owned land located on Sea Ray Drive, near North Banana River Drive on Merritt Island for a proposed LNG (liquefied natural gas) facility until there has been a clear, open, and public review process.

At the December Port meeting, energy companies submitted an unsolicited proposal to interest to purchase the piece of property on Merritt Island Port near the Barge Canal for an LNG plant. This piece of property is within 1/4 mile from a large residential area, a 1/2 from Kelly Park West were hundreds of children play sports every week, and just over a 1/2 from an elementary school. While these talks have been described as early and informal, selling or committing public land is a major and permanent decision. We believe the public deserves full information and a chance to be heard before any agreements move forward.

At this point, we are not asking the Port to approve or reject a specific project. We are simply asking that no land decisions be made until the community understands what is being proposed, what the potential risks and impacts are, and how this could affect the Space Coast long-term. Transparency at the beginning of the process helps protect public trust and leads to better decisions for everyone.

Specifically, we respectfully ask the Port to:

Publicly share any proposed land sale terms, options, or agreements related to LNG development
Require independent environmental and safety reviews before any land is sold or committed
Hold publicly noticed hearings before any Port vote involving LNG land use
Look at alternative locations that are farther from sensitive waterways and nearby neighborhoods
Coordinate with state and federal agencies before moving forward with negotiations

Once public land is sold or contractually committed, the public’s ability to influence the outcome is greatly reduced. Addressing these questions early helps protect the Port’s future, the surrounding community, and the public interest.

Port Canaveral is a shared public resource that supports jobs, tourism, national security, and space operations. Decisions that affect its land and waterways should be made carefully, openly, and with meaningful community input—especially when large industrial facilities are being considered.

This request is made respectfully and in good faith, with the shared goal of ensuring that decisions involving public land are transparent, responsible, and made with the public fully informed.

Respectfully,

Concerned residents, workers, businesses, and community members of Florida’s Space Coast