TagAirport Noise Law(36)

Washington State House Bill 1303 proposes strengthening environmental justice by adding new requirements to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review process, requiring environmental justice impact statements for projects in vulnerable or overburdened communities. The bill also prohibits state and local air authorities from issuing certain construction approvals for new air pollution sources in those same communities. Note: This bill focuses on statewide environmental permitting and community health protections, and does not directly address Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

A white paper by Vianair, Inc. examining noise abatement procedures at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and proposing the development of a comprehensive Fly Quiet program to reduce aircraft noise impacts on surrounding residential communities.

FAA Record of Approval for Bradley International Airport’s Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program, detailing approved and disapproved noise abatement and land use compatibility measures. The program includes 17 measures comprising 2 noise abatement measures, 10 land use compatibility measures, and 5 continuing program measures.

A 2003 Washington State legislative memorandum outlines a proposed striking amendment to HB 2276, which would establish Aviation Mitigation Zones (AMZs) around large regional airports like Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to address noise impacts on nearby communities. The amendment would require the Port of Seattle to levy $10 million annually from 2004 to 2007 into a dedicated mitigation fund, with spending restricted to affected areas within the AMZ. An advisory board and competitive grant process would be created to help distribute funds to eligible local governments, schools, and nonprofits in impacted neighborhoods such as Burien, Des Moines, Tukwila, and Normandy Park.

In March 1996, an Expert Arbitration Panel reviewed whether the Port of Seattle had met noise reduction requirements set by the Puget Sound Regional Council as a condition for approving a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. A majority of the Panel concluded that, despite the Port's extensive noise abatement programs, it had not demonstrated a sufficient reduction in real, on-the-ground noise impacts to satisfy Resolution A-93-03. This decision left the noise condition as the sole remaining hurdle for authorizing the third runway's construction.

Resolution No. 2943 was adopted by the Port Commission of the Port of Seattle to update the Noise Remedy Program for Sea-Tac International Airport, replacing the earlier noise remedy element from the 1976 Sea-Tac Communities Plan. The resolution authorizes property acquisition in high-noise areas, implementation of nine noise abatement measures, and a Demonstration Project (budgeted at up to $1 million) to test alternatives to acquisition such as noise insulation and transaction assistance for affected homeowners. Priority for remedies is given based on noise intensity, length of residency, and financial hardship, with annual progress reports required to guide ongoing program evaluation.

In this January 25, 1979 letter, Washington State Representative John Jovanovich (31st District) writes to Ms. Jean Pihlman explaining that the Sea-Tac Comprehensive Plan (STCP), adopted by the Port of Seattle and King County, primarily addresses the airport and its noise-impacted areas. He urges that citizen representatives on the Policy Advisory Committee — the body responsible for monitoring the plan — should come directly from the noise-impacted communities, so that their needs are properly understood by decision-makers.