In August 2019, the City of Burien formally suspended its participation in the Sea-Tac Advisory Roundtable (StART), citing the Port of Seattle's decision to advance airport expansion designs before completing required environmental reviews, a lack of transparency, and a feeling that community concerns were being ignored. The letter raises serious questions about noise abatement, slow sound insulation programs, air quality impacts extending miles beyond the airport, and the exclusion of nighttime engine run-up mitigation measures recommended as far back as 1996. Burien called on the Port to engage in an honest discussion about how much airport growth is sustainable given the health and quality-of-life impacts on surrounding communities.Open full document
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The City of Burien formally notified the Port of Seattle Commissioners and Director of Aviation of its August 5, 2019 vote to suspend participation in the Sea-Tac Advisory Roundtable (StART). The letter cites the Port’s decision to fund 30% design on SAMP Near Term Projects before completing NEPA/SEPA analysis, lack of transparency, and a perceived failure of StART to meaningfully address community concerns. The letter also raises nine specific questions about noise abatement, air quality, the Part 150 Study, and airport growth sustainability.