December 5, 1997August 2, 2026

EXH AR041439: Findings, Conclusions, and Decision — City of Des Moines et al. v. Port Of Seattle (HE 96-04)

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Hearing Examiner Findings, Conclusions, and Decision in case No. HE 96-04, Airport Communities Coalition (ACC) — comprising City of Des Moines, City of Burien, City of Federal Way, City of Normandy Park, City of Tukwila, and Highline School District #401 — versus Port Of Seattle regarding adequacy of the SEPA Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Final Supplemental EIS (FSEIS) for the STIA Airport Master Plan Update third runway expansion. Issues include whether the FEIS/SEIS inadequately assumed no growth effect from the proposed additional runway, failed to evaluate post-2010 impacts, and failed to analyze reduced-impact alternatives. References FAA Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) fiscal year 1996, P&D Aviation forecasts, Port Resolution No. 3212, Puget Sound Regional Council Resolution A-96.02, NEPA, SEPA, and Port Resolution F3211 governing administrative appeals.

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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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