In March 2020, the Burien City Council wrote to the FAA requesting a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that fully accounts for the cumulative noise and air quality impacts of Sea-Tac Airport's rapid growth, which saw operations increase by nearly 30% between 2014 and 2018. The letter argues that multiple airport expansion projects — including new terminal gates and altered flight paths — were each approved without significant environmental review, but together have caused substantial harm to surrounding communities. The council also cites a 2019 Ninth Circuit Court ruling that found the FAA failed to properly assess cumulative impacts, and demands the agency conduct a thorough analysis using a pre-expansion baseline of 2013.Open full document
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The Burien City Council writes to FAA Regional Administrator David Suomi requesting a comprehensive cumulative impact assessment as part of an Environmental Impact Statement for any future capacity development at Sea-Tac Airport, including the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The letter cites rapid growth in airport operations (nearly 30% from 2014-2018), incremental capacity additions approved via Categorical Exclusions, and a 9th Circuit Court ruling requiring the FAA to consider cumulative impacts. The council requests that the analysis use a 2013 baseline and cover all environmental categories.