September 1, 2023 342 pp.

Appendix B Aircraft and Activity Forecast

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Port of Seattle

Noise Mitigation

This technical memorandum, prepared by Leigh Fisher for the Port of Seattle in September 2023, provides an updated aviation activity forecast for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of a FAA Part 150 noise study. It outlines forecast and operational assumptions—including projected aircraft types and flight activity levels—that were used to model future noise conditions around Sea-Tac. The report is accompanied by operational data appendices supporting the airport's long-term noise compatibility planning efforts.

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Leigh Fisher technical memorandum titled ‘Aviation Activity Forecast Update’ prepared for Port of Seattle for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac Airport), dated September 2023. Part of Appendix B of a Part 150 Study, comprising Appendix B-1 (Forecast and Operational Assumptions) and Appendix B-2 (Operational Data). Document covers aircraft activity forecasts and operational assumptions used in FAA Part 150 noise study preparation.

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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