Interlocal Agreement Between the Cities of Burien, Des Moines, and Sea-Tac for Legal and Environmental Review in Connection with the NEPA and SEPA Evaluations of the Sea-Tac Airport Sustainable Airport Master Plan

The cities of Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac have entered into a formal agreement to coordinate their review of, and potential legal challenges to, the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan, which could significantly impact surrounding communities over the next 20 years. The three cities agreed to share costs proportionally based on population, jointly hire environmental consultants and legal counsel, and issue unified comment letters during the NEPA and SEPA environmental review processes. Key provisions require unanimous agreement to file a joint appeal and a two-city majority to continue litigation at each subsequent stage.

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Interlocal Agreement (ILA) pursuant to RCW 39.34 between the City of Burien, City of Des Moines, and City of SeaTac to coordinate legal and environmental review of the Port of Seattle’s Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The agreement establishes a process for joint review and commenting on NEPA and SEPA environmental documents — including environmental assessments (EA), environmental impact statements (EIS), and Records of Decision/Finding of No Significant Impact (ROD/FONSI) — issued by the FAA and Port of Seattle. Covers consultant and legal counsel selection, funding split proportionally by population using Office of Finance Management figures, contract administration by SeaTac, and decision-making thresholds (unanimous agreement to file joint appeal; majority of two cities to continue appeals). SeaTac authorized to engage legal counsel immediately following issuance of the ROD/FONSI, with Burien and Des Moines reimbursing proportionate costs.

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