Notes

An internal memo and email from Tom Luster to colleagues at Washington State Department of Ecology identifying several issues with the agency’s 401 certification review for the proposed Sea-Tac Airport expansion. The document outlines concerns about compliance with Clean Water Act requirements, water quality BMPs, and inadequately evaluated project impacts including effects on Tyee Pond, wetlands, and stormwater. Luster notes his position represents a minority opinion and shares the memo to help prepare for public review and ensure a defensible 401 decision.

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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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