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Limited Update to the Burien Categorical Exclusion on Remand: Letter of Agreement Update to Automate a 250 Degree Westerly Turn for Southbound Turboprops, Sea-Tac Airport North-Flow Operations, 6am–10pm

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CATEX 250 Turn

This January 2020 FAA document updates a noise and air traffic policy for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), allowing the airport's control tower to automatically direct southbound turboprop aircraft to make a westerly turn shortly after takeoff during north-flow operations, between 6am and 10pm. The change, originally implemented in 2016 but suspended after a legal challenge by the City of Burien, underwent a thorough environmental and noise review before being reinstated. The FAA determined that while the procedure may slightly concentrate turboprop flight paths, the resulting noise increases remain well below federally established thresholds requiring further environmental review.

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Notes

FAA Western Service Center January 2020 categorical exclusion (CATEX) limited update prepared on remand from City of Burien v. Federal Aviation Administration, 9th Circuit No. 18-71705 (November 27, 2019). Documents the Letter of Agreement (LOA) update between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and Seattle Terminal Radar Approach Control (S46) to automate a 250-degree westerly departure turn for approximately 90 percent of southbound turboprops during north-flow operations between 6am and 10pm. Signed January 22, 2020 by Environmental Specialist Elizabeth Healy (AJV-W25) and Operations Support Group Manager Shawn M. Kozica (AJV-W2). Addresses noise screening results, NEPA review history, Burien 250 Turn procedure, and the FAA’s finding that noise increases remain below established significance thresholds.

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