The Port of Seattle responds to Burien's City Council regarding its Sound Insulation Repair and Replacement Pilot Program, explaining that the $5 million program targets homes insulated before 1993 that still measure at or above 45 dB DNL interior noise levels. Of 262 eligible homes in the highest noise zones tested so far, only 5 qualified for repairs, suggesting older insulation packages are still performing acoustically. The Port plans to expand testing to 209 additional homes in early 2026 and may access FAA grants covering up to 80% of design and construction costs.

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Port of Seattle Commission President Toshiko Hasegawa responds to Mayor Kevin Schilling and Burien City Council regarding the Sound Insulation Repair and Replacement Pilot Program, explaining the program’s scope, eligibility criteria, and initial results.

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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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