TagBurien Airport Committee(142)

In January 2019, the City of Burien, Washington considered Resolution No. 407, a measure drafted by the Burien Airport Committee to address noise pollution from nearby Sea-Tac Airport. The resolution highlighted that the airport's rapid growth had caused serious health, environmental, and economic harm to Burien residents, with current FAA noise level standards far exceeding the safer thresholds recommended by the World Health Organization. The Burien Airport Committee recommended adoption of the resolution, which called for updated noise impact assessments and greater consideration of off-site noise effects.

In January 2019, the City of Burien, Washington considered Resolution No. 408, which called for air quality monitoring and health impact assessments of Sea-Tac Airport operations. The resolution highlighted that air traffic had exceeded the airport's projected levels by over 30% and that no air quality monitors existed near the six closest cities to the airport. The Burien Airport Committee recommended adopting the resolution, citing concerns about residents' exposure to pollutants linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health conditions.

In January 2019, the City of Burien, Washington considered Resolution No. 406, calling for action on growth and safety concerns at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The resolution highlights the negative health, environmental, and economic impacts on Burien residents due to the city's proximity to the airport, and notes that even with a planned $10 billion expansion under the Sustainable Airport Master Plan, the airport would still lack sufficient capacity within a decade. The city supported ongoing state and federal studies into regional aviation capacity and the impacts of airport operations on surrounding communities.

The Burien Airport Committee met on December 18, 2018 to review three draft resolutions addressing airport growth, noise, and health impacts related to Sea-Tac Airport, and to discuss the committee's composition and purpose. Prior meeting minutes from October and November 2018 were also up for approval, with earlier discussions having covered recommendations from Federal Way's Quiet and Healthy Skies Task Force and scoping comments on Sea-Tac's Sustainable Airport Master Plan Environmental Impact Statement. The committee, made up of city council members, business representatives, and residents, was working to shape Burien's policy response to ongoing airport expansion and its effects on the surrounding community.

The Burien Airport Committee met on November 15, 2018, to discuss potential city council resolutions related to airport noise and impact issues, including ideas drawn from Federal Way's Quiet and Healthy Skies Task Force Report. The committee also reviewed updates on the Sea-Tac Airport Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Environmental Impact Statement, which was described as being in its early stages. Additional agenda items included an update on the committee's appointment process and approval of minutes from the October 16, 2018 meeting.

The Burien Airport Committee (BAC) met on October 16, 2018 to discuss aviation noise issues related to Sea-Tac Airport, including a review of Federal Way's Quiet and Healthy Skies Task Force recommendations and public comments on the Sea-Tac Airport Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Environmental Impact Statement. The committee also received updates on the City of Burien's legal petition challenging the FAA's approval of a 250-degree flight heading over Burien, which was described as still in early litigation stages. Additional topics included FAA funding for noise mitigation staff, a Washington State Department of Commerce airport impacts study, and a regional aviation baseline study by the Puget Sound Regional Council.

The Burien Airport Committee met on September 18, 2018 to discuss ongoing efforts to address noise and environmental impacts from Sea-Tac Airport, including a legal challenge to the FAA's approval of a 250-degree flight heading over Burien and community engagement in the airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental review process. The agenda also covered coordination with neighboring cities, a Washington State airport impacts study, and updates on sound insulation programs. Draft minutes from the July 17, 2018 meeting were included, documenting a presentation on environmental justice concerns related to airport noise affecting minority and low-income communities.

The Burien Airport Committee (BAC) held a revised meeting on July 17, 2018, covering updates on Quiet Skies Coalition activities, a Department of Commerce Impact Study budget proviso, and a StART meeting report. Key agenda items included a 30-minute presentation on Environmental Justice issues related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport by representatives from the Washington Department of Ecology and the EPA, as well as a discussion on drafting a City Council resolution addressing airport noise impacts. Future agenda items included a Port of Seattle presentation on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) and a Department of Public Health briefing on health effects from airport proximity.

The Burien Airport Committee (BAC) met on June 19, 2018 to discuss several airport-related issues affecting the city, including an FAA Petition for Review filed by Burien, meetings with Alaska Airlines, and a proposed noise workshop and survey through the StART program. The agenda also covered potential economic opportunities linked to airport proximity and plans for future presentations on environmental justice and public health impacts. The committee reviewed an 'Aircraft Noise 101' presentation as part of its ongoing efforts to address noise policy concerns related to Sea-Tac Airport.

This June 2018 FAA memorandum clarifies how noise screening assessments should be used in environmental reviews under NEPA. Noise screening tools are meant to determine whether a more detailed noise analysis is needed, and can help decide the appropriate level of environmental review, but they are not a substitute for comprehensive noise modeling. Importantly, the FAA should not report specific noise levels at precise geographic locations based solely on screening results, as these tools use simplified assumptions that tend to overstate impacts and lack the accuracy needed for site-specific conclusions.