May 19, 2000August 2, 2026

EXH AR017773: Internal Email — Sea-Tac Third Runway Decision-Making Timeline and Workload Management

Notes

Email from Raymond Hellwig to Thomas Fitzsimmons dated May 19, 2000, regarding the SeaTac Third Runway permitting process and July 2000 decision-making timeframe. Discusses King County review of Port Of Seattle stormwater management plan requiring up to 10 more weeks, internal staff meetings to develop a definitive issues list, drafting 401 language for resolved issues, ‘what if’ exercises for unresolved issues, periodic meetings with Port Of Seattle (POS), and managing ‘background buzz’ workload from public records requests by opponent groups. References environmental laws, regulations, and permitting requirements. Document stamped as Exhibit 84, dated 1-8-02, M. Green; AR 017773.

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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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