TagDes Moines Creek(162)

A water resources expert hired by the Airport Communities Coalition reviewed the Port of Seattle's stormwater management plan for Sea-Tac Airport expansion and found serious water quality concerns. The review concluded that the plan would harm surrounding streams and aquifers, that existing pollution controls were already failing to meet Washington State water quality standards, and that the proposed measures offered no reasonable assurance of future compliance. The expert recommended denial of both the Clean Water Act Section 401 certification and the Section 404 permit approval.

Field notes dated 1/28/01 document an inspection of Ace Airport View, recording observations at a stormwater detention station (DM1 - Monitoring Station) near Des Moines Creek. The inspector noted a turbid outfall at SDS-1 in the southwest, associated wetlands, steep sides, and the presence of an oil boom, with water samples collected at 11:45 AM by Dr. Strand. Additional notes reference a southwest pond draining adjacent to the creek, clogging of material at outfall infrastructure, and embankment flows requiring attention to discharge locations.

Handwritten field notebook entries dated 1/28/01 documenting a site visit to Ace Airport View (DM1 – Monitoring Station) near Des Moines, referencing Des Moines Creek, SDS 1 outfall into SW associated wetlands, steep side terrain, oil boom present in unit 2, turbid water, black stones, water from outfall significantly turbid, Dr. Strand took samples at

The Port of Seattle requested regulatory approval to temporarily take Lagoon #3, part of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's industrial wastewater treatment system, out of service from April through December 2002 for remediation and expansion work. The project aimed to increase the lagoon's storage capacity from 26 million gallons to 76 million gallons, add a protective liner, and rebuild berms to prevent untreated wastewater from seeping into the ground. During the construction period, some untreated industrial wastewater flows could potentially be released into Des Moines Creek as unavoidable bypasses.

This December 2000 email from Northwest Hydraulic Consultants summarizes technical concerns about Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Industrial Wastewater System (IWS) and its effects on local waterways. The consultants warn that diverting large areas of stormwater runoff to the IWS is reducing natural water flows to Walker Creek and Des Moines Creek, and that lining the IWS storage lagoons may further diminish groundwater base flows to those streams. Additional concerns include undersized detention facilities, lack of continuous simulation modeling, and unresolved conflicts with FAA wildlife guidelines related to the proposed Third Lagoon expansion.

Memorandum from Reese P. Hastings and Michael J. Bailey, P.E., Hart Crowser, Inc. to Ralph Wessels, Port Of Seattle, dated December 8, 2000, quantifying potential impacts to wetland resources from development of Borrow Areas 1, 3, and 4 and an on-site haul route for the Third Runway embankment at Sea-Tac Airport. Document J-4978-62 details 17

Floyd & Snider Inc. meeting notes summary (draft for review) covering 401 Permit negotiations between the Port Of Seattle and Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) regarding the Sea-Tac Airport Stormwater Master Plan Update and third runway construction, October 2 through November 29, 2000. Document ECY00009383/AR029061 covers technical issues including detention sizing, basin acreage discrepancies,

Final draft meeting notes prepared by Kate Snider of Floyd & Snider Inc. from the Sea-Tac Airport Third Runway 401 Permit Negotiations meeting held December 8, 2000. Attendees included representatives from Washington State Department of Ecology (Ray Hellwig, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ann Kenny, Dave Garland), Port Of Seattle (Elizabeth Leavitt, Michael Cheyne, Keith Smith), King County

Floyd & Snider Inc. meeting notes summary covering Sea-Tac Airport Third Runway 401 Permit negotiations between Port Of Seattle and Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), October 2 through December 8, 2000. Documents master list of 401 Permit technical issues including Stormwater Master Plan detention sizing, basin acreage discrepancies, HSPF and KCRTS hydrological models, IWS

Floyd & Snider Inc. meeting notes summary covering 401 Permit negotiations between Port Of Seattle and Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) regarding the Sea-Tac Airport Third Runway and Stormwater Master Plan Update, October 2 through December 8, 2000. Document covers wetland issues only and includes a master list of 401 technical issues with resolution