Notes

Letter dated February 22, 2021 from Representatives Adam Smith (WA-09) and Katherine Clark (MA-05) to FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson urging swift implementation of the FY21 House Appropriations Report provision on the FAA sound insulation program. The letter addresses Airport Improvement Program (AIP) regulations barring airports from applying for federal funds for the same project more than once, and the FY21 House Report clarification allowing AIP funds to repair or replace noise mitigation packages installed prior to 1993. References mold, structural damage, and poor ventilation in homes insulated in the 1980s and 1990s under early phases of the FAA noise mitigation program. Requests FAA establish a reimbursement process for airports repairing or replacing pre-1993 noise mitigation installations.

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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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