Notes

Water quality assessment (WQA) summary prepared by Parametrix (1998) in support of the Port of Seattle Master Plan Update for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA), complementing the Sampling and Analysis Plan submitted November 1998. The document describes a three-pronged approach: (1) Water Effect Ratio (WER) / Indicator Species Procedure to modify state water quality standards (WQS) for copper using site-specific toxicity testing per US EPA 1993 guidelines and Ecology Publication WQ-R95-80; (2) mixing zone analysis to determine point of compliance under NPDES permit No. WA-002465-1 and 401 certification following construction of the third runway; and (3) stormwater quality variability characterization. Toxicity testing of at least two indicator species (fish and invertebrate) conducted at Parametrix laboratory in Kirkland, WA. Best Management Practices (BMPs) and stormwater/receiving stream hydrology modeling also discussed. AR 026488–026490.

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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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