Category : Correspondence(182)

A 1992 position statement argues that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) has reached its operational, economic, and environmental capacity and should be capped at a maximum of 380,000 operations per year with no third runway authorized. The document contends that noise impacts on surrounding communities are severely underestimated, that a third runway would make no operational or economic sense, and that alternatives such as demand management, use of existing regional airports, and improved transportation systems should be pursued instead.

This handwritten document appears to be notes from an early 1992 meeting (dated 3/2/92) concerning aircraft noise policy near Sea-Tac Airport, referencing a group opposed to further aircraft noise and seeking members from both inside and outside city limits, with a target population of 100,000. The notes outline several case studies of organizations and community colleges receiving donations ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, apparently as part of noise mitigation or community foundation funding efforts. Key concerns include growing a membership list beyond those already on a computer list and organizing inaugural meetings to advance the no-more-aircraft-noise agenda.

In July 1984, homeowners on 26th Ave. South near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport wrote to Port of Seattle Commissioners supporting the acquisition of their properties under the Noise Remedy program, citing increasing aircraft noise, growing industrial traffic hazards, and uncertainty that had delayed home maintenance. A separate letter from the Port's Director of Aviation to an airline captain acknowledged that non-compliance with existing noise abatement procedures — such as aircraft flying lower or turning sooner than prescribed — was a significant community concern, and noted that the Port was developing computer software using FAA radar data to automatically detect and report such violations.

Letter from Port of Seattle to United Airlines Vice President Captain M.E. Volz providing Sea-Tac International Airport’s noise abatement procedures for United’s pilot information centralization effort. Includes information on FAA noise abatement procedures, Standard Instrument Departures, Visual Bay Approach, run-up curfews, and noise sensitive areas within the 65 Ldn noise contour.

A letter from United Airlines Captain and Vice President of Flight Safety to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport requesting information about noise procedures and sensitive noise areas. United Airlines was developing a computer program to help pilots access noise abatement procedures at airports they serve.

In this February 28, 1984 letter, the FAA's Northwest Mountain Region reviewed the Port of Seattle's proposed Noise Remedy Program for Sea-Tac Airport, raising concerns about the criteria used to add 44 homes to an acquisition program and 275 homes to a purchase assurance program. The FAA questioned whether the new criteria of 'buffer for airport-related development' and 'neighborhood continuity' were sufficiently justified, particularly for homes along 24th Avenue South. The agency urged that all criteria be reasonable, clearly documented, and tied to measured noise impacts, and cautioned against finalizing the purchase assurance plan before key federal policy questions were resolved.

A January 1984 Port of Seattle memo from Project Manager Jody Yamanaka to the Technical Working Committee announces the completion of a Community Attitude Survey related to the Airport Noise Remedy Program at Henry M. Jackson International Airport. The survey, conducted by McClure Research Company, included a self-administered survey of neighborhood workshop attendees and two telephone surveys. The findings were to be used to evaluate specific noise remedies, improve community involvement, and ensure the Noise Remedy Program reflected local community attitudes.

In December 1983, the Port of Seattle invited community members to review preliminary boundaries for three proposed noise remedy programs near Seattle-Tacoma (Jackson) International Airport: land acquisition, purchase assurance, and sound insulation. Consultant firm Peat Marwick recommended eligibility criteria for sound insulation, targeting single-family homes exposed to noise levels of Ldn 70 or above in 1980, or Ldn 65 or above projected for the year 2000. Residents were encouraged to submit comments on the proposed boundaries and criteria by January 31, 1984.

In this May 1983 letter, the FAA's Acting Manager of Airports Division responds to the Port of Seattle's request for federal concurrence on a proposed interim change to the density guideline at the Sunset facility in North Sea-Tac Park, doubling the allowed occupancy from 60 to 120 people. The FAA does not object to the Port Commission approving the change, but strongly recommends that public input be gathered from affected community residents before any final decision is made. The agency also expresses a preference that broader density guideline changes be addressed through the ongoing Noise Remedy Program Update, which includes a comprehensive community involvement process.

In this April 1983 letter to Port of Seattle Commissioners, a community representative reminds officials of their commitment to 'Maximum Compatibility' between Sea-Tac Airport and surrounding neighborhoods, as established through the Sea-Tac Communities Plan (STCP) begun in 1972. The letter emphasizes that citizens were promised a direct, continuing role in planning decisions—including land acquisition for safety zones and noise reduction programs—through a formal Community Involvement Process. The author calls on the commission to honor that commitment as they enter a new noise remedy program update that will reassess density guidelines near the airport.