July 1, 1998August 2, 2026

EXH AR041639: Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order — City of Des Moines et al. v. Port Of Seattle et al.

Notes

King County Superior Court Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order by Judge Robert H. Alsdorf in consolidated cases No. 96-2-20357-2 KNT, No. 97-2-13908-2 KNT, No. 97-2-22276-1 KNT, No. 98-2-04911-1 KNT. Challenges Port Of Seattle Resolutions 3212 and 3245 approving the Sea-Tac Master Plan Update including construction of a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA). Also addresses Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board (CPSGMHB) Case No. 97-3-0014 FDO invalidating two Des Moines comprehensive plan provisions under the Growth Management Act (GMA), and Port of Seattle Hearing Examiner decision upholding the EIS and SEIS. Petitioners Airport Communities Coalition (ACC) represented by Cutler & Stanfield and Cairncross & Hempelmann; respondents include Port Of Seattle, Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). Trial date June 23, 1998.

Sidebar On/Off

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.

continue...

V V

Notes

Message