TagCACC(55)

This document presents the agenda and key materials from the final meeting of Washington State's Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (CACC), covering public engagement efforts, a recap of legislation ESHB 1791, and a commission member survey. The bill, signed by Governor Inslee, created a new Commercial Aviation Work Group (CAWG) to replace the CACC, though several sections were vetoed, including provisions for the CAWG task list, funding transfer, and immediate effect. A survey of commission members showed strong support (13 to 1) for the need for a new greenfield airport site to meet future commercial aviation capacity needs in the region.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee partially vetoed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1791 on May 16, 2023, striking four sections while approving the rest of the bill, which creates a new State Commercial Aviation Work Group to study the need for additional airport capacity in Washington. The governor vetoed the section requiring simultaneous consideration of new airport sites alongside existing airport expansion, insisting the state should first fully explore increasing capacity at existing airports—excluding Sea-Tac—before pursuing a new airport. The vetoed sections also included a budget redirection of already-spent funds, a retroactive repeal of workgroup authority, and an emergency clause deemed unnecessary given the existing commission's June 2023 reporting timeline.

Washington State's Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1791, passed in 2023, establishes a new 19-member Commercial Aviation Work Group to study the state's long-term airport capacity needs, replacing the earlier Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission. The bill responds to projections that by 2050, demand for flights in the central Puget Sound region will exceed Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's capacity, and directs the group to explore alternatives—including building or expanding other airports. The legislation acknowledges that any new airport site would carry significant environmental, health, and community impacts requiring decisions from federal, state, and local governments.

This document compiles frequently asked questions about Washington State's Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (CACC), which is studying potential locations for a new commercial airport in the region. It covers how the Commission was formed, what studies have been used to evaluate possible sites, and how environmental concerns—such as impacts on aquifers, the Nisqually River watershed, and tribal treaty rights—factor into site selection. The CACC can only recommend a site to the State Legislature, which retains final authority over any next steps.

The Washington Aviation System Plan (WASP) Airport Site Selection Study presented findings to the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (CACC) on March 30, 2023, covering a secondary screening analysis and airspace review for potential greenfield airport sites in Washington State. The presentation also included preliminary air cargo forecasts to help evaluate future commercial aviation capacity needs for the region.