April 30, 1999August 2, 2026

Memo for Record: Turn Basin #3, Meeting with Port Officials to Discuss Likelihood of Using 3rd Runway Area as a Disposal Site

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A memo documenting a meeting between Corps officials (Brett Amrine and the author) and Port of Seattle officials to discuss using the 3rd runway area as a disposal site for 60,000 cubic yards of material from the Corps Section 1135 project. The memo outlines logistics including haul routes, truck usage, and a construction schedule starting in late July 1999. It also raises questions about potential conflicts with the Corps’ Regulatory Branch, the type of agreement needed between the Corps and Port, and whether the material is suitable for the Port’s needs.

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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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