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The Podcast!
Subscribe to the only podcast devoted to helping people under the flight path everywhere. It’s definitely not just about noise!Most Recent: Ep #37 Dear City Managers
The Issues
The Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) is the blueprint for increasing flight capacity by one third in the next ten years. It will have the same community impact as the Third Runway. In fact, it is happening now. How this is possible, and what it means for us.continue...
A two minute presentation on how the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) will increase flight operations at Sea-Tac Airport as much as a new runway. Without a new runway.continue...
Does your home have a Port Package of noise mitigation windows and insulation? Having problems with your windows? Mold? You're not alone. Help us help you.continue... -
The SAMP SEPA EIS Public Comment Period is open now from May 22 – July 21, 2026. Learn what is coming and what you can do to help reduce the noise, the pollution, and obtain the compensation we’ve deserved for decades.Top Story
Three City Airport SAMP Open House Postgame
July 17, 2026
Higher quality materials, lower turnout, more time...
Community Development Directors from Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac held a joint presentation to help residents provide more effective public comment on the SAMP. The video and poster boards were much better than previous efforts and we urge residents to watch.
Turnout was less than forty. So, if the goal had been community engagement, that improvement could be seen as wasted. But since the Port of Seattle has extended the public comment period to August 20, 2026, there is time to promote the material more widely. We strongly encourage the cities to do so.
Community open house poster boards
Three City DEIS Comment Letter Template
Most of the material matches well with the STNI message. The comment template in particular is very good. Residents not willing to wait for the STNI comments (coming next week), could do much worse than to follow this.
On the other hand, set aside staff members, Senator Tina Orwall, four members of the Burien City Council, one from Des Moines, and six members of the two airport committees--that leaves less than two dozen 'civilians'.
But that was to be expected. Even the Port of Seattle's bigger-budgeted open houses did not bring in many more. We hope this puts to rest the lie that 'community engagement' is the key. It's important to try, but an absence of hundreds of angry residents is no reason to throw in the towel.
Fortunately, what matters is continuity and commitment from city staff. In the decade since the SAMP began, there have been any number of good pieces of information, well-funded community events, and promises from electeds to 'finally' become engaged. It never happens.
But the quality of these materials showed more educated commitment to the airport community than we've seen in a long while. That should give people who are looking for signs that fence-line communities are taking these issues more seriously--a small ray of hope. If the presentations had been poor, that would have been a reason to raise a white flag.
After the meeting we heard any number of people saying, "Now what?" The answer is simple: tell your electeds to give these administrators the mandate and the tools to create our own airport master plan. Airport issues can only be addressed successfully by people who are in it for the long haul.
Recent Stories
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Notice of Comment Period Extension — State Environmental Policy Act Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Extended Comment Period End Date: August 20, 2026 Project Name: Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects (SEPA No. 2026-01) Location: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 17801 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 98158 Lead Agency: Port of Seattle This notice is to announce the extension of the public comment period for the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Draft Environmental -
Port Commission Meeting July 14, 2026 Postgame
Asking for Airport 101. Or at least, another 30 days. Highlights of today’s meeting agenda were the introduction of the budget calendar, our request for a 30 day extension to the SAMP NTP DEIS Public Comment Period, and the latest (but surely most entertaining) problem with the International Arrivals Facility. Public Comment began with a -
Airport Growth Community Open House
Presentation Slides Comment Extension Period Presentation Slides As Sea-Tac International Airport continues to grow, Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac are working together to advocate for a more collaborative approach to airport expansion planning — one that fully considers the health, environmental, transportation, and quality-of-life impacts on neighboring communities. Join us at a Community Open House on Tuesday, July -
Port of Seattle Commission Meeting July 9, 2026 Postgame
SAMP NTP DEIS Listening Session The Commission convened a special meeting in response to community concerns regarding the SAMP Near-Term Projects Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The idea seems to have originated as demand for a public hearing to review the draft under state law. The Port responded positively but without specifying a format. STNI wrote -
FAA extends operating limitations at Chicago O’Hare International Airport through October 2027
The FAA extends its April 20, 2026, order limiting scheduled aircraft operations at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) through October 30, 2027. The extension is necessitated by ongoing construction projects and airfield adjustments expected to continue through Summer 2027, which continue to limit airport capacity. The order was issued by FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and
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Upcoming Events
From the Office of Congressman Adam Smith: Highline College (Building 8, Mt. Townsend Room)Des Moines, WA Saturday, July 18 • 1 PM – 2 PM Join Rep. Adam Smith for an Aviation Forum. Attendees will have questions and concerns about aviation noise and emissions. RSVP today! Representative Adam Smith is hosting an aviation forum with
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## 1. SAMP NTP SEPA DEIS Update
- Presented by Steve Rybolt, Port of Seattle## 2. South King & Port Communities: Environmental Investment Program
- Presented by AJ McClure & Bunthay Cheam, Port of Seattle## 3. South King & Port Communities: Economic Opportunity for Communities
- Presented by Cathy Vue, Port of Seattle## 4. StART Annual Report
- Presented by Andres Mantillas, Marco Milanese & John Flanagan**Next Meeting:** September 23, 2026 | City of Des Moines, Police Building Training Room
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From The Web
Document DetailsAgencies Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Document Citation 91 FR 43144 Document Number 2026-14147 Document Type Notice Page 43144 (1 page) Publication Date 07/14/2026Published Content – Document Details PDF View printed version (PDF) Official Content Document DetailsAgencies Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Document Citation 91 FR 43144 Document Number 2026-14147 Document Type [...]
From The Library
A report examining the barriers to implementing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Massachusetts, authored by Neil Rasmussen and Chuck Collins from the Institute for Policy Studies. The report analyzes challenges and obstacles facing SAF adoption in the state.continue...
Under The Flight Path
Under The Flight Path: A Community History of Sea-Tac Airport. Help us complete the first comprehensive documentary of any major US airport; the impacts on the cities and the people.continue...
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