A federal judge has declined to block a federal land exchange involving SpaceX property in South Texas, allowing the deal to proceed while environmental and tribal groups continue their broader legal challenge.

The U.S. Justice Department said the exchange will give the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service several hundred acres of habitat that it considers more valuable for conservation, while SpaceX receives federal land near its Starbase operations. The Associated Press reported that the transaction involves more than 700 acres in total.

The ruling addressed the request for a preliminary injunction, not the ultimate merits of the lawsuit. The challengers argue that federal agencies did not adequately assess environmental and cultural impacts. The court's order means the exchange may move ahead as that litigation continues.

Sources: U.S. Department of Justice — justice.gov source ↗ Associated Press — apnews.com source ↗ Federal court order — law.justia.com source ↗