TagAirport Communities Coalition(268)

A fisheries biologist hired by the Airport Communities Coalition assessed the potential environmental impacts of a temporary SR-509 interchange construction project near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, concluding that the project posed serious risks to fish and wetland resources in Walker Creek. The report found that proposed erosion control measures, such as silt fences and whattles, were grossly inadequate given the steep terrain (slopes of 40–60%) adjacent to Wetlands 43 and 44, and that sediment-laden stormwater runoff containing metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons would likely reach these sensitive areas. The biologist also criticized the Port of Seattle and its contractor, Parametrix, Inc., for failing to conduct fish species inventories and for providing little documentation to support their claim that no significant wetland impacts would occur.

A May 2000 laboratory report from Columbia Analytical Services, Inc. presents water and sediment quality monitoring results for the Airport Communities Coalition in Richland, Washington. Samples were collected on April 19, 2000, and analyzed for metals, ammonia, pesticides, semivolatile organics, and other contaminants as part of project OO-101G. Two samples arrived broken and unusable, and one sediment sample showed elevated background components affecting Toxaphene reporting limits, though no major anomalies were found in the remaining analyses.

Northwest Hydraulic Consultants submitted follow-up technical comments in May 2000 raising serious concerns about flawed stormwater modeling used to assess the impact of a proposed third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The consultants identified major inconsistencies in soil-type assumptions and runoff parameters in the hydrologic models, concluding that the Stormwater Management Plan's predictions of detention facility performance were unreliable and required a complete overhaul. The letter also flagged a lack of adequate local regulatory oversight to ensure that Port of Seattle stormwater designs complied with King County surface water standards.

A technical review by Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Washington State Department of Ecology in May 2000, raises serious concerns about the stormwater management plan for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's proposed third runway. The report identifies major flaws in the hydrologic modeling used to assess drainage impacts, including inconsistent soil-type assumptions and unreliable flow predictions for Miller Creek. The consultants call for a complete overhaul of the modeling process, independent technical review, and clearer regulatory oversight of the Port of Seattle's stormwater design work.

Unpublished Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals memorandum opinion, 165 F.3d 35 (1998 WL 833628), affirming the FAA Administrator’s approval of the Master Plan development project for Sea-Tac Airport expansion. Petitioners — City of Normandy Park, City of Des Moines, City of Burien, City of Federal Way, City of Tukwila, and Highline School District No. 401

King County Superior Court Memorandum Ruling by Judge Robert H. Alsdorf on Application of WAC Chapter 365-195 (Procedural Criteria for Adopting Comprehensive Plans and Development Regulations) in consolidated cases No. 96-2-20357-2 KNT, No. 97-2-13908-2 KNT, No. 97-2-22276-1 KNT, No. 98-2-04911-1 KNT. City of Des Moines, Airport Communities Coalition, and other plaintiff-petitioners argued against the Port

King County Superior Court Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Final Order by Judge Robert H. Alsdorf in consolidated cases No. 96-2-20357-2 KNT, No. 97-2-13908-2 KNT, No. 97-2-22276-1 KNT, No. 98-2-04911-1 KNT. Challenges Port Of Seattle Resolutions 3212 and 3245 approving the Sea-Tac Master Plan Update including construction of a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma

This catalog lists documents received in 1996 related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport planning and policy, including environmental impact statements, noise arbitration hearing transcripts, air quality studies, and budget documents. Key sources include the Port of Seattle, the FAA, the Airport Communities Coalition (ACC), and various consulting firms, covering topics such as the proposed Sea-Tac Master Plan Update, a third runway, groundwater studies, and community noise mitigation. The collection reflects ongoing disputes between the Port of Seattle and surrounding communities over airport expansion impacts during the mid-1990s.