This 1st draft memo from Jay Holman proposes adding an Airport Advisory Committee provision to RCW Chapter 53.54 on aircraft noise abatement. The committee would consist of five citizens living within five miles of the airport, appointed by Port Commissioners from a list submitted by the county, and tasked with meeting monthly to review Port decisions, relay community concerns, and make noise abatement recommendations. Members would serve staggered five-year terms, with new appointments beginning annually in 1982.

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A draft proposal from Jay Holman for legislation to add to RCW Chapter 53.54 regarding aircraft noise abatement. The proposal would require Port Districts operating airports with more than a specified number of scheduled jet flights per day to appoint a citizen Advisory Committee to study airport decisions, communicate community concerns, and make recommendations on noise abatement.

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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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