Category : Key Documents(137)

This 1981 airspace study, prepared by Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., examines how the shared use of airspace between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) and King County International Airport (Boeing Field) affects the capacity of both airports. The two-phase study analyzes projected congestion and delays through the year 2000 and evaluates operational and policy alternatives to reduce airspace conflicts. A public information program was also included to keep the community informed of the study's findings and implications.

In December 1979, the King County Council passed Motion 4668 approving a rezone request by the Port of Seattle (Building and Land Development File No. 224-78-R), subject to conditions including the Port providing 5 acres for a neighborhood park and agreeing not to develop a 55-acre Westside Greenbelt buffer area for ten years. In May 1981, the Council proposed Motion 81-322 to rescind and replace Motion 4668, with key differences in the conditions outlined on page 2 of each motion. The matter, which had been appealed by both the applicant and neighboring property owners, required a separate public hearing in affected communities as part of the site plan approval process.

This 1980 draft report, produced by the Puget Sound Council of Governments, outlines a Regional Airport System Plan for the Central Puget Sound area covering the years 1980 to 2000. Funded by the Port of Seattle, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and the Federal Aviation Administration, the plan was developed to guide regional aviation policy and infrastructure decisions across King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties. It was prepared for review by the Standing Committee on Transportation and represents an early framework for managing air travel demand and airport development in the greater Seattle region.

The Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-193) requires the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to establish uniform standards for measuring airport noise and its impact on surrounding communities. Airport operators may voluntarily submit noise exposure maps and noise compatibility programs outlining steps to reduce incompatible land uses near airports, such as soundproofing buildings, adjusting flight procedures, or acquiring nearby land. The federal government can fund up to 80% of approved noise compatibility projects, with grants available to airport operators and local government units in affected areas.

The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-504) amended the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to shift the U.S. air transportation system away from heavy government regulation toward open market competition, allowing competitive forces to determine airline prices, routes, and service quality. The law established key policy priorities including maintaining safety as the highest concern, preventing monopolistic practices, encouraging new carriers to enter the market, and preserving scheduled service to small communities. While focused on economic deregulation rather than noise policy directly, the resulting surge in air traffic growth it enabled has significant implications for airport noise management planning.

King County Ordinance No. 2883, passed in September 1976, officially adopted the Sea-Tac Communities Plan as an addendum to the King County Comprehensive Plan, establishing it as the guiding policy for land use, development, and redevelopment around Sea-Tac International Airport. The plan, developed with Federal Aviation Administration grant funding and extensive community involvement, addresses noise programs, open space acquisition areas, and compatible land use in the airport's vicinity. It required coordination between King County and the Port of Seattle on any future changes, with the Highline Communities Plan designated as the official zoning guideline for implementing its land use concepts.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) in September 2025 for near-term construction and development projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, prepared on behalf of the Port of Seattle. The Final EA was updated from an earlier Draft EA to reflect public and agency comments, correct errors, and remove sections on climate change, environmental justice, and cumulative impacts following changes to federal executive orders, regulations, and a 2025 Supreme Court ruling. These regulatory shifts meant the FAA was no longer required to analyze how the proposed projects might affect vulnerable communities or contribute to broader environmental trends.

Technical analysis of airspace interactions between Sea-Tac Airport and Boeing Field, examining runway capacity models, aircraft delay calculations, and the effects of airspace interactions on airport operations. The document presents detailed capacity and delay calculations using computerized models.

Seattle's 2018 Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, prepared by the Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment, tracks and analyzes the city's greenhouse gas emissions across sectors including transportation, buildings, industry, and waste. The report compares 2018 emissions data against previous years, examines per capita trends, and outlines Seattle's climate reduction goals and strategies. Note: This document focuses on citywide carbon emissions and climate policy, and does not address Sea-Tac Airport noise issues.