A $8 million federal grant was announced to continue the Seattle-Tacoma Airport land acquisition program, helping purchase homes and property in FAA-designated 'clear zones' north and south of the airport. The funding, combined with local matching money, allows the airport noise-mitigation program to stay on schedule, though officials noted the federal amount fell short of the $12 million originally requested. Properties in the affected areas must be cleared, with an estimated 281 additional homes slated for acquisition in 1981.

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The South Times G Section from April 9, 1980 covers several South King County stories including a Maple Valley family raising sheep, a Federal Way school levy vote, Riverton residents voting against annexation to Tukwila, and federal funds added for the Sea-Tac Airport clear zone land acquisition program. The issue serves communities including Renton, Auburn, Kent, Federal Way, Des Moines, Burien, Tukwila, and surrounding areas.

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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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