2025-06-01
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The authors, including Washington’s Solicitor General, Noah Purcell, reveal how the “gift of public funds” doctrine has become a false barrier for government assistance to communities. For decades, agencies like the Port of Seattle have wrongly claimed that matching requirements, narrow purposes, and small amounts are requirements of the State Constitution although there is absolutely
Environmental mitigation at its best and worst To build the Third Runway, the Port of Seattle proposed to fill all or parts of some 12 separate wetlands across the Miller Creek, Walker Creek, and Des Moines Creek watersheds–every one of them a class AA water, the highest protection provided by the state. FAA grants are
2026-07-25
What if the solution to decades of airport noise and community impacts has been hiding in plain sight all along? In this open letter to city managers across airport communities, we revisit a landmark yet largely forgotten document: the Sea-Tac Communities Plan of 1976. Built on the Port of Seattle's promise — *"As we do better, you'll do better"* — this collaborative plan was supposed to be the long-term answer for neighborhoods living under the flight path. So why has it been reduced to little more than an expensive property buyout program? The answer reveals a critical gap that neither elected officials nor community advocates can fill alone. Real, lasting solutions require sustained professional commitment to airport community planning — something that should have been established 50 years ago. If you work in city management, this episode speaks directly to you and the unique role only you can play in finally delivering on that broken promise.
2026-07-17
Higher quality materials, lower turnout, more time… Community Development Directors from Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac held a joint presentation to help residents provide more effective public comment on the SAMP. The video and poster boards were much better than previous efforts and we urge residents to watch. Turnout was less than forty. So, if
2026-07-17
Extended Comment Period End Date: August 20, 2026 Project Name: Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects (SEPA No. 2026-01) Location: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 17801 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 98158 Lead Agency: Port of Seattle This notice is to announce the extension of the public comment period for the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Draft Environmental
2026-07-15
Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. Notice. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the Dane County for Dane County Regional Airport (MSN). On December 21, 2023, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps (NEMs) submitted by Dane County were in
2026-07-15
Asking for Airport 101. Or at least, another 30 days. Highlights of today’s meeting agenda were the introduction of the budget calendar, our request for a 30 day extension to the SAMP NTP DEIS Public Comment Period, and the latest (but surely most entertaining) problem with the International Arrivals Facility. Public Comment began with a
2026-07-14
Presentation Slides Comment Extension Period Presentation Slides As Sea-Tac International Airport continues to grow, Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac are working together to advocate for a more collaborative approach to airport expansion planning — one that fully considers the health, environmental, transportation, and quality-of-life impacts on neighboring communities. Join us at a Community Open House on Tuesday, July
2026-07-11
SAMP NTP DEIS Listening Session The Commission convened a special meeting in response to community concerns regarding the SAMP Near-Term Projects Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The idea seems to have originated as demand for a public hearing to review the draft under state law. The Port responded positively but without specifying a format. STNI wrote
2026-07-10
The FAA extends its April 20, 2026, order limiting scheduled aircraft operations at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) through October 30, 2027. The extension is necessitated by ongoing construction projects and airfield adjustments expected to continue through Summer 2027, which continue to limit airport capacity. The order was issued by FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and
2025-06-01
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