The unSustainable Airport Master Plan

The SAMP is the fourth major expansion of Sea-Tac. It will add as much new flight capacity as adding a new runway–without adding a new runway. That is why the current environmental review says it requires no compensation or mitigation. But the negative impacts to your community will be just like adding a new runway.

Explainers

Documents

2026 SEPA Draft Environmental Impact Statement

A complete list of SAMP Documents 2018 to the present

Legal Response

Despite concerns from communities ranging from Beacon Hill to Federal Way, only four cities initially chose to take formal action. In 2018, Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac and Normandy Park signed an interlocal agreement (ILA) to study legal options. Recently, Normandy Park dropped out but Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac have begun a process to challenge that decision at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Here is information on that agreement and the current status of the case.

2018 to present ILA

Coverage

• Port of Seattle Commission Special Meeting – SEPA SAMP NTP Draft EIS Public Comment
  
  The Port of Seattle Commission is holding a Special Meeting to gather public input on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near-Term Projects Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) — and your voice matters. This critical environmental review shapes the future of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and surrounding communities, making public participation essential. Meeting begins at 4:00 p.m. with informational displays and staff available to answer questions, followed by an official public comment period from 4:30–6:00 p.m. where Commissioners will be present to hear testimony directly. Virtual sign-ups are accepted July 6–8, 2026, and written comments can be submitted via email. The meeting is also available to view or listen to online or by phone.
• StART meeting agenda June 24, 2026
  
  Overview of (SEPA) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) (SAMP) Near-Term Projects, Part 150 update
• LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Airport advisory leaders urge residents to speak out about Sea-Tac expansion – The Waterland Blog
  
  EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written and submitted by a verified resident. It represents the opinion of the author, and does not necessarily reflect the views of South King Media or its staff.] Dear Neighbors: You will have the chance this week to engage with personnel from the Port of
• Joint Burien Airport Committee & Des Moines Airport Advisory Committee Meeting
  
  1. Call to Order 2. Business Agenda Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Study Session Materials 3. Next Meeting Date The next regular meeting of the Burien Airport Committee will be July 21, 2026, at 6 p.m. 4. Adjournment Document Link
• Proposed Seattle Tacoma airport expansion will be good for region
  
  By Angela Birney and Dana Ralph Special to The Seattle Times As elected officials, we are committed to serving the public good. That requires us not only to think beyond what’s needed for our communities to thrive today but also to focus on long-term planning for current and future residents. That is why we both
• Joint Des Moines and Burien Airport Committee Meeting June 8, 2026
  
  Joint meeting with Burien Airport Committee: Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Study Session
• Port of Seattle Commission May 26, 2026
  Introduction of SAMP-NTP 2026 05 26 Regular Meeting Packet At almost four hours, the May 26 Port Commission meeting had several lengthy presentations. The longest was not the one of interest to airport communities: the first public briefing on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects SEPA Draft EIS. The practical outcomes: no required mitigations
• Highline Forum May 27, 2026 – Sustainable Airport Master Plan Update
  
  2:45pm - Host Update: City of Burien: Sarah Moore, Mayor, City of Burien 2:55pm - SAMP NTP Environmental Update: Steve Rybolt, AV Environment 3:40pm - Highline Schools: Future Ready Overview: Janet Blanford, Director Secondary Success, College & Career Readiness, Highline School District 3:50pm - Port of Seattle Educational Partnerships: Marco Milanese 4:00pm - StART Update: Wendy Reiter
• Port of Seattle Commission Regular Meeting May 26, 2026 (SAMP/SEPA intro)
  
  Item 11b is the SAMP/SEPA EIS introduction and presentation
• Burien Airport Committee
  
  - **SAMP SEPA EIS Planning Session** (30 min) – Full committee discussion - **StART Restructuring Proposal** (15 min) – Jeff Harbaugh and Joe Dusenbury from Des Moines Airport Advisory Committee - **NEPA Review Update** (5 min) – Bob Larson, Interim City Manager

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