Notes
EPA Region 10 letter dated December 2, 2024, from Acting NEPA Branch Manager Susan Sturges to Steve Rybolt (Port of Seattle, Aviation Environment and Sustainability) reviewing the FAA November 2024 Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near Term Projects (EPA Project Number 18-0056-FAA). The DEA covers 31 near-term projects (NTPs) in the City of SeaTac, King County, Washington, including a second terminal, elevated busway, cargo facilities, roadway realignment, airfield updates, parking, and sustainable aviation fuel facilities. EPA identifies environmental justice (EJ) concerns under Executive Orders 12898 and 14096, noting EJScreen analysis shows all 12 EJ Indexes exceed the 80th percentile for the general study area, with diesel particulate matter at 98th percentile and nitrogen dioxide at 95th percentile. EPA recommends improvements to the Final EA on air quality, climate change, wetlands, and cumulative impacts to overburdened communities. Detailed comments address EJScreen, Washington State Department of Health Environmental Health Disparities map, NEPA, Clean Air Act Section 309, Alternative 2 (Proposed Action), and Alternative 3 (Hybrid Terminal Option).