Notes

Pre-filed testimony by Sally Nelson, a Burien City Council member, submitted on behalf of the Airport Communities Coalition (ACC) in PCHB No. 01-160. The testimony introduces the ACC — a coalition of cities including Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, and Tukwila, plus the Highline School District — and explains their interest in the Port of Seattle’s proposed Third Runway Project at Sea-Tac Airport. The testimony emphasizes the ACC communities’ stewardship responsibilities for local streams and watersheds, including Des Moines Creek, Miller Creek, Walker Creek, and Gilliam Creek, and their concern for compliance with the Clean Water Act and state water quality laws.

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As the source for federal transportation grants, the Puget Sound Regional Council was charged with developing a system to meet the growing need for commercial aviation. When the search for a second airport failed, they authorized the Port of Seattle to build the Third Runway, with a mandate to develop a noise abatement and mitigation program. In their effort to stop the Third Runway, the ACC argued over every detail of the Port's efforts--including property buyouts and sound insulation. The dispute was meant to be settled by a three member Expert Arbitration Panel. This is their final report. It finds 2-1, that the Port's program was insufficient in several respects. Despite that, funding for the Third Runway was approved by the PSRC, and the 'Port Package' program, proceeded largely unchanged. Expert Arbitration Panel's final decision finding that the Port of Seattle had not shown sufficient reduction in real on-the-ground noise impacts to satisfy noise reduction conditions required for approval of a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. The majority decision concluded the Port's noise abatement programs were insufficient despite being impressive in scope.

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