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City of Des Moines Letter to Port Of Seattle: Comments on SAMP Draft Environmental Assessment

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SAMP
2024 Draft EA
2024 Comment

The City of Des Moines, Washington submitted formal comments to the Port of Seattle in December 2024, raising concerns about the environmental and health impacts of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's planned growth. The city warns that by 2032, annual flight operations will increase by nearly 20%, expanding the noise exposure zone and raising the number of residents affected by significant aircraft noise from roughly 14,000 to nearly 22,000—with most of that burden falling on Des Moines residents. The letter calls on the Port and FAA to extend public comment periods, pursue meaningful noise mitigation measures such as sound insulation for homes and schools, and engage more collaboratively with impacted communities rather than treating public review as a formality.

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December 13, 2024 letter from the Des Moines City Council to Steve Rybolt, Port of Seattle Aviation Environment and Sustainability, submitting formal comments on the Seattle-Tacoma Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Draft Environmental Assessment. Letter addresses aircraft noise impacts on Des Moines residents, DNL 65 dBA contour expansion, projected increase of population exposed to significant noise from 14,061 (2022) to nearly 22,000 (2032), a 25% increase in nighttime arrivals, inadequacy of the public comment period, lack of mitigation measures in the EA, and calls for Part 150 study updates including sound insulation for eligible homes and schools. References CFR Part 150, NEPA thresholds, annual operations forecast of 511,800 by 2032, and a December 3, 2024 community meeting attended by approximately 90 people.

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