Notes

The Airport Communities Coalition (ACC) replies to the Port of Seattle’s opposition to ACC’s motion to extend the discovery schedule in PCHB No. 01-160. ACC argues that the Port controls site access and has withheld data and expert reports, only agreeing to propose site visit dates on January 16, 2002, just days before the February 1, 2002 discovery deadline. ACC contends the Port’s characterization of ACC’s discovery compliance is inaccurate and that an extension is warranted given the disparate circumstances.

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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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