The Operational Buffer land use classification includes designated land areas intended to serve as operational safety and security buffers for space launch and landing activities, balanced with conserving KSC’s natural environment. A majority of the Operational Buffer land area is either submerged, vulnerable to inundation by rising water whether the result of storm event or climate change, or consists of high-value uplands habitat for species of critical concern, particularly the Florida scrub jay. Two sub-categories of Operational Buffer are designated:

Operational Buffer/Public Use

Operational Buffer/Public Use areas correspond to publicly accessible areas of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Cape Canaveral National Seashore for recreational use in the northern portion of KSC, as a conditional use subject to the operational activities associated with KSC’s mission.

Operational Buffer/Conservation

Operational Buffer/Conservation areas correspond to land areas in the southern portion of KSC that may never have been developed, or sites that may have reverted to a natural environment over the years. Development in Operational Buffer areas may include infrastructure, operations of low impact, or small footprint facilities that may be required for support of space launch or landing operations.