Category : Meetings(460)

A April 1, 2019 meeting of the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) Federal Policy Working Group brought together community members, congressional staff, and Port of Seattle representatives to review noise-related provisions of the FAA Reauthorization Bill, which funds the FAA through 2023. Consultant Mary Ellen Eagan provided an overview of key noise provisions, including updates to noise exposure maps, community noise concerns, and a new grant program for environmental mitigation, while noting that the FAA is unlikely to meet many of the bill's implementation deadlines. Attendees discussed how communities and congressional offices could engage with the FAA to influence its prioritization of noise-related studies and regulatory changes affecting Sea-Tac Airport.

This document summarizes a March 11, 2019 meeting of the StART Aviation Noise Working Group, which brought together representatives from Sea-Tac Airport neighboring communities, the Port of Seattle, the FAA, and Delta Air Lines. Key topics included an update on the Late-Night Noise Limitation Program, which monitors and reports on the noisiest flights between midnight and 5 AM, and a presentation on Noise Abatement Departure Procedures (NADP), which offer two approaches to reducing aircraft noise either close to or farther from the airport. The group also discussed the limits of enforcement, noting that neither the FAA nor the Port can formally fine airlines for not following noise abatement procedures, as safety always takes priority.

This document summarizes a March 4, 2019 meeting of the StART (Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) Federal Policy Working Group, which brought together community members, city officials, congressional representatives, and Port of Seattle staff to discuss aviation noise policy. The group reviewed the history of federal noise regulations, including the 1990 Airport Noise and Capacity Act, and debated priorities such as improving noise measurement metrics, expanding funding for noise insulation, and increasing local communities' regulatory control. Key discussions centered on how to influence the FAA Reauthorization Act and support new legislation proposed by Congressman Adam Smith to better address the noise impacts on neighborhoods surrounding Sea-Tac Airport.

In March 2019, the Washington State Department of Commerce issued a $500,000 Request for Proposal (RFP) to study the impacts of growing operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on surrounding communities. The study, mandated by the state Legislature, was set to examine issues including air traffic noise, public health, traffic congestion, property values, and economic development in nearby cities such as Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac, and Tukwila. The effort was prompted by Sea-Tac's rapid growth — reaching 50 million passengers in 2018, far exceeding the 30 million projected for 2030 — and aimed to help local leaders and lawmakers identify ways to mitigate negative impacts.

The Late-Night Noise Limitation Program is a voluntary Port of Seattle initiative that monitors aircraft noise at Sea-Tac Airport between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., using four close-in noise monitors to track takeoffs and landings that exceed established thresholds. Airlines that violate these thresholds receive penalty scores under the Port's Fly Quiet Incentive Program, which has evaluated airline noise compliance since 2005. The program, developed in 2019 as an outcome of the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), aims to encourage air carriers to schedule flights during less noise-sensitive hours or switch to quieter aircraft.

This document is a facilitator's meeting summary from the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) held on February 27, 2019, covering discussions between the Port of Seattle and neighboring communities on airport noise reduction and federal policy. Key topics included updates on a revised Runway Use Agreement, nighttime noise thresholds, the A320 aircraft whistling noise issue, and the formation of a Federal Policy Working Group involving congressional offices. The meeting also featured a presentation on glide slope analysis as a potential noise reduction measure and a discussion of StART's priorities for 2019.

The Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) met on February 27, 2019 to discuss ongoing airport noise reduction efforts, including updates to the Runway Use Agreement, late-night noise limits, and a recommendation to adjust Runway 34R's glideslope to reduce noise impacts on neighboring communities. The meeting also previewed the newly formed Federal Policy Working Group and introduced a concept for reducing taxiing noise by changing how arriving aircraft move to the terminal. Community members and city representatives from SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Tukwila, and Federal Way participated in small group discussions to help set StART's priorities for 2019.