February 15, 2001August 2, 2026

Comments on stormwater, hydrology, and hydraulics aspects of proposed 3rd runway and related development actions at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Notes

Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, retained by the Airport Communities Coalition, submitted technical review comments on the December 2000 Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan and related documents for the proposed Third Runway at Sea-Tac Airport. The letter identifies numerous technical deficiencies in stormwater analyses and preliminary designs, including inconsistent stormwater control standards, lack of detailed plans, and absence of a clear regulatory review process. The reviewers warn these deficiencies present a risk of significant adverse impacts to natural stream and wetland systems.

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As the source for federal transportation grants, the Puget Sound Regional Council was charged with developing a system to meet the growing need for commercial aviation. When the search for a second airport failed, they authorized the Port of Seattle to build the Third Runway, with a mandate to develop a noise abatement and mitigation program. In their effort to stop the Third Runway, the ACC argued over every detail of the Port's efforts--including property buyouts and sound insulation. The dispute was meant to be settled by a three member Expert Arbitration Panel. This is their final report. It finds 2-1, that the Port's program was insufficient in several respects. Despite that, funding for the Third Runway was approved by the PSRC, and the 'Port Package' program, proceeded largely unchanged. Expert Arbitration Panel's final decision finding that the Port of Seattle had not shown sufficient reduction in real on-the-ground noise impacts to satisfy noise reduction conditions required for approval of a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. The majority decision concluded the Port's noise abatement programs were insufficient despite being impressive in scope.

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