1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

The proposed use of Johnston Atoll as a rocket landing site poses a grave threat to one of the Pacific’s most delicate and vital ecosystems. This remote wildlife refuge, once heavily impacted by military activities, has undergone extensive restoration that has allowed millions of seabirds to return and thrive. Introducing disruptive rocket operations now risks undoing decades of dedicated conservation work. Johnston Atoll serves as a critical nesting and breeding ground for numerous seabird species. The noise pollution from sonic booms, construction of infrastructure, and the inevitable risk of introducing invasive species would cause significant and likely irreversible damage. Nesting birds are particularly vulnerable to disturbance—abandonment of eggs and the collapse of entire breeding seasons are almost certain if operations proceed as proposed. While the goal of expediting military cargo transport may offer strategic benefits, pursuing this at the expense of one of the last intact oceanic ecosystems is unacceptable. The ecological costs are far too high, and the potential for permanent environmental degradation cannot be overstated. At some point, we must ask ourselves—don’t we want to stop being the villain of the movie? The history of environmental destruction in the name of progress is long and painful. We have an opportunity here to make a different choice: to protect rather than exploit, to preserve rather than destroy. I urge you to consider alternative locations that do not endanger protected habitats and to commit to a transparent and comprehensive environmental impact assessment before any further action is taken. The protection of our natural heritage must not be sacrificed for short-term logistical gains. This project demands thoughtful reevaluation, with the preservation of biodiversity at the forefront.