Tagbac_2026_02_17(1)

Burien Airport Committee Feb 17, 2026

2026-02-17
Burien Airport Committee agenda and draft minutes, February 17, 2026

The Burien Airport Committee held its February 17, 2026 meeting to discuss airport-related policy matters, including legislative updates, Burien's decision not to participate in the Port of Seattle's StART Day in Olympia due to concerns that the shared legislative agenda did not accurately represent Burien's interests, and the status of the SAMP (Sustainable Airport Master Plan) appeal. The meeting also covered the Port of Seattle's South King County Community Impact Fund grant awards and an upcoming presentation on a proposed rezoning of land north of the NERA (noise-affected) area near Sea-Tac Airport.

Tagsbac_2026_02_17, Burien Airport Committee, North of NERA Rezone, Port Of Seattle, SAMP, StART

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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Burien Airport Committee agenda and draft minutes, February 17, 2026

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