Detailed Responses to City of Burien Questions

The Port of Seattle responds to questions from the City of Burien about aircraft noise studies, noise abatement procedures, and community mitigation programs at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The Port clarifies that its 2014 Part 150 noise study covered all three runways and actually showed a smaller noise-impacted area due to quieter aircraft technology, and that the upcoming Sustainable Airport Master Plan environmental review will further assess noise impacts. The document also addresses concerns about the pace of sound insulation programs, the transparency of the StART community advisory process, and the legal and regulatory constraints that limit the Port's ability to mandate certain noise reduction measures.

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Port of Seattle’s October 18, 2019 formal responses to City of Burien questions regarding Sea-Tac Airport noise programs. Addresses five specific questions including: the 2013-2018 Part 150 Study scope covering all three runways (not just the Third Runway), the 2014 noise exposure update showing smaller DNL65 impacted area, the Expert Arbitration Panel 1996 noise abatement recommendations, FAA Four Post Plan compliance (99% adherence), reverse thrust limitations, sound insulation program statistics (9,400+ single-family homes insulated, $300 million spent), comparison to King County Airport/Boeing Field insulation rates, the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near-Term Projects environmental review replacing an immediate Part 150 update, StART committee operating procedures, and the September 2019 Runway Use Agreement and Late-Night Noise Limitation Program.

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