Notes
“The Sea-Tac Communities Plan is the first of its kind to be undertaken through the Planning Grant Program of the Federal Aviation Administration. It brought together the Port of Seattle–owner of the Sea-Tac Airport–and King County~ the political entity responsible for land use in the area surrounding the airport in a joint venture to determine how to best achieve compatibility between the airport and the surrounding communities. These two organizations~ in developing the plan~ encouraged the highest possible level of citizen participation through local meetings~ an extensive information program~ working groups~ questionnaires and participation in both the technical and policy advisory committees. The citizen input as well as inputs from the airlines and other aviation interests~ local businesses~ and all levels of government~ were utilized to develop imaginative and innovative solutions to the problems involved in achieving compatibility. Some of the solutions include acquisition~ conversion and reinforcement of areas surrounding the airport to retain a viable community. Proposed noise solutions include acquisition~ purchase assurance~ easements~ insulation of noise affected structures~ development controls by public agencies~ and property advisory services. The study results and the cooperative effort that went into it can serve as a model for other communities nationwide that are beset with similar airport-community compatibility problems. For the Sea-Tac Communities the blueprint has been drawn. There now remains the opportunity to implement those plans.”