May 25, 1998August 2, 2026

EXH AR035118: Response to Comments on the Public Notice for Permit Reference No. 96-4-02325 — Master Plan Development Actions at STIA, Port Of Seattle

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Port Of Seattle response to public and agency comments on Army Corps of Engineers Public Notice Permit Reference No. 96-4-02325 for Master Plan Development Actions at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. AR035118/AR035119. Addresses six major concerns: EPA/COE MOA wetland impact sequencing and compensatory mitigation; justification for out-of-watershed mitigation (Auburn wetland) for wildlife habitat; South Aviation Support Area (SASA) need and 1.04-acre wetland avoidance via bridges and retaining walls; on-site borrow source wetland impacts including Wetland 51 (0.48 acres) and Borrow Source 1; GPS and aviation technology alternatives to third runway; and groundwater/aquifer impacts from proposed fill. Modified Mitigation Approach dated May 1998. FAA guidance cited regarding wildlife habitat near airport. Off-site borrow cost differential estimated at $20–$60 million.

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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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