April 1, 2026July 31, 2026

Sustainable airport master plan near-term projects state environmental policy act draft environmental impact statement and next steps

The Port of Seattle is advancing a set of Near-Term Projects under its Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, covering infrastructure improvements such as new gates, taxiway extensions, runway blast pads, and cargo facilities. The plan is subject to both federal (NEPA) and state (SEPA) environmental review, with a Draft Environmental Impact Statement being prepared to assess potential impacts. Public and regulatory next steps include finalizing the EIS and communicating outcomes to stakeholders and surrounding communities.

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Port of Seattle presentation covering the SAMP Near-Term Projects, including completed NEPA Final Environmental Assessment with FAA Finding of No Significant Impact, required SEPA Draft Environmental Impact Statement, and next steps in the environmental review process. Details various airport infrastructure projects including runway improvements, terminal developments, and support facilities.

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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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