TagBAC(98)

The Burien Airport Committee held meetings in October and November 2025 to discuss issues related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including updates on a multi-city interlocal agreement, a Port package letter, and the FAA's finding of non-significance on the NEPA study for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The committee also addressed legislative priorities, community engagement strategies, and coordination with neighboring cities such as Des Moines regarding airport noise and expansion concerns. Members voted to invite a SEPA process representative to a future meeting to further discuss potential impacts on the surrounding community.

The Burien Airport Committee held its regular meeting on June 17, 2025, covering topics related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's impact on the surrounding community, including subcommittee reports on committee priorities, a possible University of Washington economic impact study, and an update on the Port of Seattle's noise insulation (Port Package) program for affected homes. Draft minutes from the May 20, 2025 meeting were also included, noting discussions about how flight-path properties are assessed for value and Chair Moore's home being selected for a noise eligibility test. Public comments could be submitted in advance by email or provided in person and via Zoom during the meeting.

The Burien Airport Committee held a meeting on April 15, 2025, to welcome new members, discuss the committee's workplan and legislative agenda, and review updates from the StART Committee and Highline Forum regarding Sea-Tac Airport issues. Draft minutes from the March 18, 2025 meeting were also presented for approval, noting outgoing member thanks and a recap of a presentation made to Des Moines City Council on forming their own airport committee. Public comments could be submitted by email or in person via Zoom or City Hall attendance.

The Burien Airport Committee met on January 21, 2025, and was scheduled to meet again on March 18, 2025, to discuss issues related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's impact on the surrounding community. Key topics included updates on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) and potential FAA appeals, state legislative developments such as SB-5652 and a proposed airport mitigation bill, and efforts to encourage neighboring Des Moines to form its own airport committee. The committee also worked on developing a workplan to guide its ongoing advocacy around airport noise, environmental concerns, and community mitigation measures.

The Burien Airport Committee met on January 21, 2025, to discuss issues related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including updates on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), state legislative developments, and regional coordination efforts through bodies like STAC4J and StART. The agenda also included a proposal to amend the committee's composition. Draft minutes from the December 17, 2024 meeting reflect earlier discussions on the SAMP comment process and a multi-city response coordinated under an existing Interlocal Agreement.

The Burien Airport Committee held a meeting on December 17, 2024, to discuss topics related to Sea-Tac Airport noise and expansion policy, including a wrap-up of public comments on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), a possible multi-city response to the SAMP, and potential state-level mitigation legislation. The committee also considered expanding its membership from five to seven members and reviewed a StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) committee update. Members of the public were invited to participate in person at Burien City Hall, via Zoom, or by submitting written comments in advance.

The Burien Airport Committee (BAC) recommends capping flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, citing unacceptable health burdens from aircraft noise and air pollution on surrounding communities. The committee argues that decades of regional planning studies have failed to identify alternatives to concentrating all air traffic growth at Sea-Tac, and that current expansion plans will likely be insufficient beyond 2025. BAC opposes Sea-Tac's SAMP expansion plan and calls on state and regional officials to identify alternative locations for future air passenger and cargo growth.

The Burien Quiet Skies coalition compiled this document to compare a 1996 expert arbitration panel's noise reduction directives for Sea-Tac Airport with the FAA's 2014 approval of the airport's 2013-2018 noise compatibility program, revealing that many of the same noise abatement and mitigation measures remain unaddressed decades later. Key concerns include hundreds of homes still lacking adequate sound insulation, a 12-year gap in noise modeling data, outdated noise contour maps, and the FAA's failure to hold the Port of Seattle accountable for implementing promised noise reduction procedures. The document argues that regulators and the Port of Seattle have repeatedly failed South King County communities—including economically vulnerable populations—by allowing aircraft noise levels to worsen while meaningful corrective action has been continually delayed since at least 1985.