Tagcommunity engagement(276)

Washington House Bill 1948 (2025) would require large port districts — such as the Port of Seattle, which operates Sea-Tac Airport — to develop environmental justice implementation plans and community engagement plans aimed at reducing health and environmental disparities for overburdened communities affected by airport noise and other port activities. The bill mandates that these plans include specific goals, measurable metrics, and outreach strategies to ensure meaningful participation from vulnerable populations, including people with limited English proficiency. Port districts would also be required to conduct environmental justice reviews for major capital projects valued at $8 million or more, or any action that increases the number of airport gates.

The South King County Community Impact Fund (SKCCIF) is a $14 million Port of Seattle investment running from 2025 to 2029, aimed at improving quality of life for historically underserved communities in South King County. The fund is divided across three programs: Economic Opportunities for Communities (70%), Environmental Improvements (20%), and Diversity in Contracting (10%). Its mission is to remove systemic barriers by expanding access to living-wage jobs in Port-related industries, enhancing public spaces, and supporting community-led projects.

Seatac Airport neighbor Stuart Jenner submitted public comments in December 2024 criticizing the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), arguing that citizens were given inadequate time to review over 4,000 pages of documents and that an Environmental Impact Statement—not merely an Environmental Assessment—is needed to properly evaluate the plan's effects on nearby residents. Jenner raises concerns about opaque computer models used to claim a nearly 50% increase in passenger traffic would have no environmental impact, shifting baseline comparisons that ignore past promises made during the third runway approval, and the absence of project cost information. He calls on Port Commissioners and the FAA to extend the public comment period and subject the plan to greater independent scrutiny.

Sea-Tac Noise.Info published this guide in December 2024 to help community members participate in the public comment period for Sea-Tac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). It walks residents through what the SAMP is, what problems to raise in their comments, and how to ensure their comments are complete and properly submitted. The guide emphasizes that residents should write their own personal comments rather than copying pre-made text.

The Port of Seattle held a public meeting on December 3, 2024 in Des Moines, WA to present highlights from the Environmental Assessment (EA) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The SAMP outlines a wide range of near-term construction and expansion projects across the airport, including airside, landside, terminal, cargo, and support facilities. The meeting provided an opportunity for community members to learn about the plan's environmental findings and submit public comments.

The Port of Seattle is seeking public comments on a proposed environmental review of 31 Near-Term Projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), designed to improve efficiency, safety, and access as the Puget Sound region prepares for one million additional residents by 2035. The public comment period runs from October 21 through December 5, 2024, with four in-person meetings scheduled across Federal Way, Des Moines, Burien, and SeaTac. Comments can be submitted online, by email at samp@portseattle.org, by mail, or in person, and will be considered by the FAA and Port of Seattle in finalizing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment.

This appendix summarizes the public and agency engagement activities conducted as part of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects. Outreach included scoping meetings held in 2018 with seven agencies and four public sessions in surrounding cities, as well as advertisement in multiple languages across newspapers, email, and social media. Public meetings were scheduled in November 2024 at locations in Federal Way, Des Moines, Burien, and SeaTac, with a comment deadline of December 5, 2024.

The Duwamish River Parks Management Strategy, published by the Port of Seattle in October 2024, outlines a community-centered plan for improving and managing parks along the Duwamish River in the Seattle area. The strategy was developed with significant input from local community members and covers priorities such as new amenities, programming, partnerships, and branding to better serve Duwamish Valley residents. It also includes implementation steps and measures of success to guide future decision-making for the parks system.

The City of SeaTac held a Special Council Meeting on August 13, 2024, focused on North SeaTac Park, where staff presented an overview to inform potential Council action on the park's protection and preservation. The 90-minute session, led by directors from Community Economic Development, Finance, and Parks and Recreation, included public comment opportunities and an executive session. While not directly a noise policy document, the meeting reflects ongoing city efforts to safeguard green space in a community significantly affected by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport operations.