February 28, 2020July 31, 2026

Study of the current and ongoing effects of the operation of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

This draft report, prepared by Stantec and Ricker Cunningham for the Washington State Department of Commerce under ESSB 6032, examines the current and ongoing effects of operating Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). It covers the airport's broader impacts on surrounding communities, likely including noise, land use, and environmental concerns. The report was released in draft form on February 28, 2020, for review and comment only, and was not intended for final distribution at that time.

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A draft report prepared by Stantec and Ricker Cunningham for the Washington State Department of Commerce, authorized by ESSB 6032, studying the current and ongoing effects of the operation of Sea-Tac Airport. The report was distributed for review and comment only and was subject to further revision and not intended for final distribution.

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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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