TagBurien Airport Committee(131)

The Burien Airport Committee (BAC) held meetings in early 2018 to address concerns about Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's growth and its impact on surrounding communities. Key topics included the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Environmental Impact Statement, an Interlocal Agreement among Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and SeaTac to coordinate responses to airport expansion, and updates on noise-related efforts such as Quiet Skies Burien and the city's petition regarding turbo-prop flights overhead. The committee also discussed participation in regional aviation planning studies led by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) and the FAA.

The Burien Airport Committee (BAC) met on February 20, 2018 to discuss aviation capacity concerns near Sea-Tac Airport, including responses to Resolution No. 396, which calls for addressing regional aviation capacity needs in western Washington. The agenda covered updates on several airport studies, an interlocal agreement among four cities to jointly respond to the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and ongoing noise-related efforts such as the Quiet Skies Burien initiative. Draft minutes from October 2017 reflect earlier committee work on scoping questions for the EIS and efforts to coordinate a unified voice among nearby airport-impacted cities.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the Port of Seattle support neighboring communities through grant programs, job creation, and noise mitigation efforts. The Port has invested approximately $400 million in noise mitigation for affected communities, completing work on 9,400 single-family homes, 5 condominium complexes, 14 Highline College buildings, and 8 public schools. The airport also drives significant regional economic activity, supporting 151,400 jobs and $22.4 billion in total economic activity.

In this October 2017 letter, Port of Seattle Commission President Tom Albro responds to the Burien City Council regarding inaccuracies in a draft white paper produced by the Burien Airport Committee. Albro clarifies that airport improvements are funded primarily through Passenger Facility Charges paid by airline travelers—not local property taxes—and defends the Port's noise mitigation and air quality efforts, noting nearly $400 million spent on programs including home insulation and school soundproofing. He also invites Burien to participate in a new airport stakeholder advisory roundtable as a forum for ongoing community engagement on airport-related issues.

The Burien Airport Committee met on September 19, 2017 to discuss legal updates, regional coordination, and a proposed resolution on airport noise and growth issues. The City Attorney reviewed a potentially favorable court precedent from a Phoenix aviation case, while committee members debated drafting a resolution urging the Burien City Council to pursue a regional solution to air traffic capacity and growth. The committee also discussed possible dissolution at year's end, future agenda topics including health impacts and environmental review, and the scheduling of their next meeting for October 17, 2017.

A 2017 white paper from Burien's Airport Advisory Committee argues that unchecked expansion at Sea-Tac Airport is causing serious health and environmental harm—including noise pollution, air pollution, and related illnesses—for residents of South King County and parts of Seattle. The committee contends that the Port of Seattle has prioritized the convenience of air travelers over the well-being of nearby communities, while King County taxpayers bear the financial burden of an airport that benefits the entire state. The paper calls on the Burien City Council to urge regional and state leaders to coordinate aviation capacity planning and meaningfully address the human costs of continued airport growth.

Sharyn Parker submitted a skills inventory to the Burien Airport Committee on February 21, 2017, highlighting over 40 years of experience in program management, legislative lobbying, and policy advocacy related to transportation, aviation, and airport issues. She also completed a priority assessment form identifying key topics for the committee to address, rating challenges such as airport noise and pollution, public engagement, legislative strategy, and negotiation with entities like the Port and FAA as high priorities.

The City of Burien, Washington passed Resolution No. 384 in December 2016, establishing the Burien Airport Committee to advise the City Council on issues related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The committee, composed of three council members, up to three local business representatives, and up to three Burien residents, was created to evaluate both the positive and negative impacts of the airport, including noise, traffic, land use, and mitigation measures. All committee meetings are open to the public under Washington State's Open Public Meetings Act.

This FAA guidance document (5190.6B, Chapter 13) explains the rules and responsibilities surrounding airport noise and access restrictions. It outlines how authority is shared among the federal government, airport sponsors, and state and local governments — with the federal government holding primary control over airspace management and aircraft noise standards, while airport sponsors like Sea-Tac are responsible for local noise reduction planning within defined legal limits. Any restrictions affecting Stage 2 or Stage 3 aircraft operations must comply with the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (ANCA) and the FAA's 14 CFR Part 161 review and approval process.