May 31, 2001August 2, 2026

Biological Assessment for Master Plan Update Improvements at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (NMFS No. WSB-00-318) and Essential Fish Habitat consultation

Notes

A letter from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to the Federal Aviation Administration concurring with the Biological Assessment’s determination that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Master Plan Update projects ‘may affect but are not likely to adversely affect’ threatened Puget Sound chinook salmon or designated critical habitat. The letter covers ESA Section 7 consultation and Essential Fish Habitat consultation under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The action area includes Miller Creek, Des Moines Creek, and associated estuaries downstream of the airport.

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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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