August 8, 2001August 2, 2026

EXH AR1270: FAA Record of Decision — Environmental Reevaluation for Master Plan Update Development Actions, Sea-Tac International Airport

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FAA Northwest Mountain Region Record of Decision (ROD) dated August 8, 2001, determining that no supplemental EIS is required for Port of Seattle Master Plan Update (MPU) development actions at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including the Third Runway project. Relies on 1996 Final EIS and 1997 Supplemental EIS (FSEIS). Two environmental reevaluations (Appendix A and Appendix B) address increased airport activity levels, MPU project refinements, noise mitigation commitments, Clean Air Act conformity, surface traffic, wetlands, endangered species, commercially managed fish, and migratory birds. Applies CEQ regulations at 40 CFR Part 1500 and Section 1501.9(c)(1). Administrative Record number AR050924.

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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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