TagACC(1531)

Final meeting notes prepared by Kate Snider of Floyd & Snider Inc. for the 401 Permit Decision-Making process for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Third Runway, covering a Low Flow Analysis meeting held July 9, 2001. Attendees included representatives from Washington Department of Ecology (Ann Kenny, John Drabeck), King County (Kelly Whiting), Port Of Seattle (Keith Smith),

In a July 6, 2001 internal email, Ann Kenny outlines the technical information that the Washington State Department of Ecology required before approving any mitigation approach for low-flow water impacts related to a Port project. The requested materials included hydrological modeling files, 7-day low-flow analysis data comparing pre- and post-project conditions, a formal mitigation volume proposal, and documentation on the feasibility of vault filling as a mitigation method. Ecology also indicated that written documentation of outcomes would be required following a scheduled July 9 meeting with the Port.

Notes from a July 6, 2001 telephone conference involving Kate Snider, Keith Smith, and others discuss coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE) and review of Des Moines-related graphics and vault feasibility information. Topics include biologist availability, the biological defensibility of using 2-year and 7-day low flow data, and the status of Walker Creek non-contiguous areas. Ann reminds participants that Ecology is seeking all backup information in the format agreed upon at the June 25th meeting.

A July 2001 letter from Azous Environmental Sciences to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Washington State argues that the Port of Seattle's proposed Third Runway expansion at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport fails to meet Clean Water Act requirements by inadequately compensating for the destruction of wetlands and streams in the Miller and Des Moines Creek watersheds. The letter contends that the Port's mitigation plan does not provide the required one-for-one functional replacement of lost wetlands, lacks quantitative analysis, and ignores cumulative environmental impacts. The authors warn that approving insufficient mitigation would set a damaging precedent for wetlands protection across the region.

A July 2001 letter from environmental consultant John Strand raises concerns that the Port of Seattle accepted chemically contaminated soil fill for the proposed third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Testing revealed petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in soil from Black River Quarry that exceeded cleanup standards, yet the Port transferred the soil to the airport anyway and delayed reporting the results. The letter argues that the Port's Soil Fill Acceptance Criteria are seriously flawed and that approving the project under the Clean Water Act would be ill-advised.

Final draft meeting notes from July 5, 2001 technical meeting on 401 Permit Decision-Making for the Sea-Tac Airport Third Runway, prepared by Rachel McCrea of Floyd & Snider Inc. Attendees include Ann Kenny (Dept. of Ecology), Kelly Whiting (King County), Keith Smith (Port of Seattle), Felix Kristanovich (Foster Wheeler), Paul Fendt and Tom Atkins (Parametrix),

Water Resources Consulting LLC submitted technical comments in July 2001 on behalf of the Airport Communities Coalition, challenging the Port of Seattle's stormwater management plans for SeaTac Airport expansion. The document disputes Port claims about impervious surface increases, water diversions affecting Miller, Walker, and Des Moines creeks, and the effectiveness of bioswale filtration systems for removing pollutants such as metals from airport runoff.

In a July 2, 2001 email chain, Kelly Whiting of Metro King County raises concerns about the analysis of 'non-hydrologic' effects related to water rights relinquishments and their impact on summer low flows in a Sammamish River watershed study. Whiting questions the assumptions made about non-respondents to a water withdrawal survey, arguing that the rates assigned to them appear disproportionately high compared to trends shown by actual survey respondents. The email requests a walkthrough during an upcoming Thursday meeting to clarify how these figures would be incorporated into a low-flow mitigation plan.

A July 2001 email from King County engineer Kelly Whiting summarizes ecological recommendations regarding proposed stream flow mitigation measures. A lead stream ecologist advised that mitigation plans be compared against existing stream hydrology to avoid abrupt changes that could disrupt biological processes, such as sudden summer flow increases confusing fish behavior. The ecologist also emphasized that water quality factors like temperature and dissolved oxygen are as important as flow rates, and suggested introducing reserved water gradually through ponds or wetlands rather than directly into streams.

This document is Table A-3 from the Sea-Tac Airport Master Plan Update, outlining construction projects that require stormwater management. It details activities such as runway safety improvements, taxiway construction, terminal expansions, and embankment work, noting for each whether permanent stormwater detention was provided, the construction timeline, and the type of drainage facility used. Projects are categorized as either new or retrofit stormwater installations, with comments describing impervious surface impacts and drainage routing to temporary or permanent detention facilities.