Category : Correspondence(303)

In September 2017, Des Moines, WA resident Steve Edmiston sent a certified letter demanding that the Port of Seattle and the FAA stop increased flight operations over his historic Woodmont neighborhood, arguing that no avigation easement had ever been granted over his property. He cited a dramatic rise in aircraft noise, vibrations, fumes, and nighttime flights linked to expanded use of Sea-Tac's third runway and new navigation procedures, noting that commercial operations at the airport had nearly doubled since 2003. The letter also included a formal public records request for documents related to flight procedure changes made after February 14, 2012, and outlined legal grounds under which affected homeowners may still seek damages despite general noise liability limitations.

A June 2, 2017 edition of the Federal Way Mirror features letters to the editor debating airplane noise and airport policy in the Federal Way, Washington area. Residents express frustration over increasing flight noise, with one writer describing it as a 'continual assault' on residents' ears, while another argues that Federal Way should advocate for a second regional airport at Everett's Paine Field rather than expanding Sea-Tac's third runway. The letters reflect ongoing community concern about the quality-of-life impacts of growing air traffic over South Sound neighborhoods.

Residents of Federal Way, Washington wrote letters to their local mirror newspaper in June 2017 expressing frustration over increasing airplane noise from Sea-Tac Airport, citing quadrupled noise and emission impacts, the need to wear earplugs indoors and outdoors, and calling for a second regional airport at Everett's Payne Field. Former Federal Way City Council member Linda Kochmar, drawing on her decade of experience with the Airport Communities Coalition, urged South Sound mayors to pressure the state legislature and congressional delegation to act. The letters were written in response to a columnist who had minimized residents' concerns, and collectively call for greater media and government attention to the environmental and quality-of-life impacts of the FAA's 2017 Long Range Plan for expanded flight operations.

In this September 2015 letter, the Port of Seattle and the City of SeaTac reached a mutual agreement regarding the environmental review of Sea-Tac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The Port committed to conducting a full environmental analysis of all anticipated airport growth — including international passenger traffic — as part of the SAMP review process, addressing the City's concerns about transportation and other impacts. In exchange, the City agreed not to file an appeal on the Final Declaration of Non-Significance issued for the International Arrivals Facility project.

In October 2012, the Highline Forum and Southwest King County Economic Development Initiative (SKCEDI) sent thank-you letters to Washington State Representatives Zack Hudgins and Tina Orwall for attending a joint meeting on September 26, 2012, at the Des Moines Senior Center. The letters acknowledged the representatives' candid discussion about legislative expectations in Olympia and expressed plans to continue conversations about the 2013 Economic Development Legislative Positions for Southwest King County. The correspondence was signed by Normandy Park Councilmember Marion Yoshino and Burien Deputy Mayor Rose Clark on behalf of both organizations.

A May 2004 legal letter from Helsell Fetterman attorneys demands that the Port of Seattle and Washington State Ecology Department comply with a Washington Supreme Court ruling before proceeding with third runway construction at Sea-Tac Airport. The court imposed environmental conditions requiring that fill materials used in construction come only from uncontaminated sites, meet strict groundwater quality standards, and pass SPLP leachate testing against both surface and groundwater criteria. The letter argues that the Port's existing work plans and bid documents violate these court-mandated conditions, citing discrepancies such as the Port's allowable arsenic limit of 14.75 ug/L being several hundred times higher than the court-required 0.05 ug/L standard.

In September 2002, the Port of Seattle notified nearby residents that it would be removing trees located west and south of Tyee Golf Course, near South 196th Street, at the direction of the Federal Aviation Administration. The trees were identified as hazards to aircraft taking off and landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Work was scheduled to begin September 16, 2002, and was expected to last up to four weeks.

Legal memorandum analyzing King County’s role in proposed Des Moines Beach Park conveyor belt operation, including property rights and park use restrictions. Includes Department of Ecology letter clarifying fill material certification requirements for Port of Seattle’s third runway construction.

Fax cover sheet and analytical lab reports sent by Rick Poulin of Smith & Lowney, P.L.L.C. (Seattle, WA) to Peter Eglick and Kevin Stock at Helsell Fetterman LLP on February 14, 2002, transmitting water sample lab results for Case 2, Site Visit Day 2. Enclosed letter from Analytical Resources, Incorporated (ARI), dated February 11, 2002,

Email chain dated October 19, 2001 among Kathryn Snider (Floyd Snider McCarthy, Inc.), Kelly Whiting (Metro King County), Ann Kenny, Keith Smith (Port Of Seattle Water Resources Manager), and David Masters regarding a proposed Low Flow Meeting scheduled for October 30, 2001 at Kate Snider’s office (8:30–11:30 AM). Kelly Whiting requests a meeting agenda or