Notes

Email from Andy McMillan (SEA program) dated June 12, 2000, forwarded by Tom Luster to Raymond Hellwig on October 6, 2000, transmitting the official version of a Word document titled “Lessons Learned from Big Projects: Recommendations for SEA Program.” The attached document outlines 7 recommendations developed from SEA program staff experiences with large, complex projects including Crown Jewel Gold Mine, Sea-Tac Third Runway, 304th Street Landfill, and Arrowleaf. Recommendations cover workload management, preventing applicant end-arounds of project staff, project decision-making guidance when staff disagree with agency decisions, broad public input throughout project review, documentation and peer review requirements, agency-wide coordination process for large projects, and SEA Program internal coordination. Document references Permit Assistance Center (PAC), SEPA section, PMT, and cost recovery program. AR 017776–017778.

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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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