FAA Signs Off on SAMP NTP

Finding of no significant impacts. 60 day appeal clock begins

After an almost nine year process the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued its long-awaited Finding of No Significant Impact / Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for the Port of Seattle’s Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects (SAMP NTPs). This clears the way for construction on 31 major projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

The decision means that the federal environmental review process is over unless an appeal is filed within sixty days.

The Port of Seattle has already signaled it will now move forward with the Washington State equivalent process (SEPA) which may conclude early 2026.

What’s in the Near-Term Package

The NTPs represent the Port’s plan to handle a forecast **56 million annual passengers while meeting FAA design standards and accommodating cargo and fuel needs. Key elements include:

* **Airfield Work:** Taxiway extensions, reconfigurations, blast pads, new high-speed exits, and two major hardstand areas to reduce aircraft congestion.
* **Terminals & Gates:** Up to **19 new gates** in a new concourse, plus a **second terminal** and parking garage.
* **Cargo & Support:** Replacement cargo facilities north of SR-518, relocation of fuel farms, construction of a new westside maintenance campus, and a centralized receiving/distribution center.
* **Ground Access:** New elevated busway, reconfigured roadways, a relocated ground transportation lot, and a new employee garage.
* **Stormwater & Utilities:** Expanded stormwater detention/treatment and new utility lines.

FAA’s Findings: No “Significant” Impacts

Despite the size of the program, the FAA concluded that **no environmental impact category crosses NEPA’s significance threshold**.

Noise

2032: The 65 DNL contour would expand slightly (+0.15 sq. miles) affecting 337 more homes, but no area would see a 1.5 dB increase that triggers significance.
2037: Contour grows again (+0.66 sq. miles) but remains smaller than 2032 levels due to fleet mix shifts (more 737 MAX).

Air Quality & GHG

• Pollutant levels rise modestly with higher operations, but **remain within National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
• Greenhouse gases increase 2.1% (2032) and 7.4% (2037), mostly from aircraft operations – but FAA did not consider these impacts “significant.”

Water & Habitat

* **0.79 acres of wetlands** and **0.01 acres of streams** permanently affected, with compensatory mitigation required.
* ESA consultation concluded “not likely to adversely affect” listed species or critical habitat.
* PFAS contamination will be managed under Port protocols.

Land Use & Socioeconomics

* All development stays on Port-owned land and aligns with local comp plans.
* Two private tenants – Doug Fox Parking and PACCAR Aviation – will be displaced, but FAA determined the impacts not “significant.”

Traffic

•  114 intersections analyzed; mitigation commitments made for all intersections that would otherwise fall below Level of Service standards.
• Port will fund signals, roundabouts, and lane improvements per jurisdictional agreements.
• * Traffic improvements at key intersections (Des Moines Memorial Dr., 24th Ave. S., 8th Ave. S., etc.).

Public Process

The Draft EA generated **595 comments** from agencies, cities, and the public. FAA extended the comment period twice to accommodate community interest and Thanksgiving timing. Changes were made in response to comments, but none were deemed to warrant elevating the process to a full EIS.

Our Take

The FONSI clears the way for SEA’s most ambitious growth plan since the Third Runway – but “no significant impact” does not mean “no impact.”

For residents concerned about cumulative impacts, the FONSI underscores the FAA’s unusual definition of “significant.” Many effects that are very real for surrounding cities – noise, air quality, socioeconomic – are judged not significant by federal standards.