Let’s fix the program to fix Port Packages!

Commissioners,

I think it’s fair to say that when we all worked so hard last winter to create a Port Package Update program–now formally known as the Sound Insulation Repair/Replacement Pilot Program (SIRRPP), stakeholders such as our over 1,000 members assumed we’d have at least some involvement in the program design.

However, after attending the May 22 ¹Highline Forum (presentation), we now see that the program has been designed with no public input, and it has already been rolled out, and with no clear explanation of how or when it will benefit homeowners. One thing we know for certain–the running program as presented is not what anyone expected. It simply does not match the written words or the public statements made by the Commission and your staff, either in Olympia to pass SB5955, or on the dais at Sea-Tac Airport in passing Port Order 2024-04.

Outreach?

Many homeowners receiving those post cards have told us that they have already tossed them because they had no idea what this assessment means for them. The ‘beta’ version of the survey we’ve seen does not seem like it addresses the concerns we’ve documented by over 300 site visits. This is extremely disappointing as we all can work together to reach everyone and helped provide the most useful possible assessment–which I’m sure is what we all want.

Assessment

Of the $10.5 million allocated for the program, over half is for this assessment phase. From what we can see, that consists of 3,200 postcards, then 3,200 surveys (which represents only a third of homes with Port Packages), followed by only thirty actual site visits for acoustic testing, with a final report to the Commission by December 31, 2024.

The majority of the narrative in the presentation we heard concerned determining the effectiveness of sound reduction in existing windows. We question whether or not that is a particularly meaningful thing to study–especially with only thirty site visits. But more importantly, we would remind you that each Port Package was bespoke. Each was custom-designed to work as system. An effective Sound insulation program is not just ‘windows’. In fact, it’s that mindset (let’s slap on some ‘windows’ as quickly as possible) that created so many problems in the first place!

The presentation mentions acoustic testing but not installation issues or any of the other treatments to ceilings, walls, or insulation used in almost every home. It also fails to discuss HVAC and airflow, a component in many Port Packages, and requiring sign-off by a licensed engineer.

We’re also struggling to understand how 3,200 postcards, 3,200 surveys, and 30 site tests represents $5 million of value for State and Federal taxpayers footing the bill. This is money that could just as easily have been used to fix homes with known problems.

When do people actually get relief?

Which raises the biggest concern we have. There is nothing in your presentation that explains how you actually get to fixing anyone’s home in 2025–which was a stated goal of Port Order 2024-04.

We’re trying to remain optimistic, but this looks bad. Even after getting a State law passed and free money from both the State and Federal governments to pay for this assessment, the timeline reads like a ‘let’s study the scope of the problem’, rather than any path towards meaningful relief for long suffering homeowners. This may not have been your intent, but as with so many airport issues, it looks like more of the tired narrative of ‘study’ rather than simply making it as easy as possible for those with known issues to finally obtain relief. This is especially galling when funds are so tight and at least some of this assessment money could be allocated for fixing people’s homes.

Why not both?

We understand your concerns about  the SFO Repair/Replacement Initiative–a lottery-based program we think highly of, despite having its own set of challenges. However, the path you’ve headed down over-corrects in the opposite direction. There is no reason you cannot takes the best parts of both approaches: provide repairs to the obvious candidates now while also studying the full scope of the problem as the path towards Federal reimbursement–which everyone agrees is the long term approach. But what you don’t have to do is make the longest suffering homeowners and the most obvious problem cases wait more years. Doing some repairs now is also an important component in providing an equitable solution.

Let’s fix the program to fix Port Packages

Port Order 2024-04 was a great idea that could and should be a model program for the entire nation. Unfortunately, it’s gotten off to a rough start. But fortunately, we’re early enough in the process that adjustments can be made and have it live up to its potential–a model for the rest of the nation! Therefore, we request an immediate meeting with the Aviation Committee and the Noise Program team to develop a path forward towards achieving the goals stated in Port Order 2024-04.

—JC Harris
…on behalf of STNI