In September 2012, the Port of Seattle Commission considered a $6 million request to create a new Sustainability Master Plan (SMP) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, replacing an outdated 15-year-old plan. The update was driven by nearly 50% passenger growth since the last plan, rising capacity pressures on roadways, terminals, and taxiways, and the need to meet FAA requirements for federal grants and environmental permits. The SMP aimed to guide long-term airport development through 2015, balancing future growth with sustainability goals within the airport's existing footprint.

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Port of Seattle memorandum requesting $6.0 million authorization to create an Airport Sustainability Master Plan for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The existing master plan is 15 years old and needs replacement due to 50% passenger growth since the last study was completed.

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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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