TagEcology(797)

This October 2000 email chain between Washington State Department of Ecology staff discusses coordination efforts regarding the Port of Seattle-SeaTac International Airport Agreed Order (A.O.) and Remedial Action Grant (RAG). The team planned a November meeting with Port of Seattle representatives to confirm completed cleanup work, agree on remaining scope, and address grant-related issues. Key action items included transmitting a Responsiveness Summary to the Port, reviewing billing records, and briefing the Ecology 401 Certification team on progress.

Email dated October 26, 2000 from Chung K. Yee to Kevin Fitzpatrick regarding Sea-Tac Airport fill material contamination concerns. Yee reports a conversation with Paul Agid explaining Ecology and the public’s concerns about possible groundwater and surface water contamination from fill material, and sampling frequency to quantify soil characteristics. Paul Agid expressed interest in discussing

Exhibit 89 (AR 017784-017785). Email chain forwarded by Raymond Hellwig (Ecology) to Ann Kenny on October 26, 2000, containing internal comments by Tom Luster (Ecology) on draft 10/20/2000 meeting notes for the Sea-Tac Airport third runway 401/404 review. Luster raises concerns about: NPDES major modification and stormwater plan for SR-509 interchange; South Access/Tyee Pond spill

Memo dated October 25, 2000 from Tom L. to Paula at Washington State Department of Ecology listing initial workload items for the next year. Items include updating Nationwide Permits with Army Corps of Engineers, developing Regional General Permits, investigating 401/CZM rule pros/cons, preparing for legislative session, coordinating on ESA issues, updating the 401/CZM Desk Manual,

In October 2000, Washington State Department of Ecology prepared internal talking points to explain staff changes in the environmental review of the Sea-Tac Airport Third Runway project, including shifting the 401 water quality permit review from Olympia headquarters to the Bellevue regional office and replacing the senior wetlands specialist with an outside consultant. Ecology emphasized that these were routine workforce-management decisions driven by competing project demands, not outside pressure. The agency maintained that its responsibility to ensure the Third Runway met state environmental protection laws — covering stormwater, wetlands, in-stream flow, and clean fill — remained unchanged.

A October 25, 2000 internal memo from Tom Luster to Ann Kenny outlines the transition of the 401 water quality certification review for the Sea-Tac Airport expansion project. It covers key outstanding issues including flow augmentation, water quality BMPs, and Clean Air Act compliance, as well as coordination needs with the Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, and WDFW. The memo also addresses document management, public disclosure requests, and contract administration changes related to the King County Stormwater Review.

In an October 25, 2000 letter to Washington State Department of Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons, the Airport Communities Coalition (representing cities of Burien, Tukwila, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, and the Highline School District) protested the removal of senior environmental specialist Tom Luster from the Port of Seattle's third runway 401 water quality permit review. The coalition alleged that political pressure from the Port of Seattle — including secret meetings with the Governor's office and a coordinated public relations campaign — was improperly influencing the regulatory process. The letter demanded Luster's immediate reinstatement, citing his three years of institutional knowledge and commitment to science-based, nonpolitical decision-making on the permit.

In October 2000, Washington State Department of Ecology staff exchanged internal emails debating conditions for issuing a Section 401 water quality certification related to Sea-Tac Airport's proposed third runway expansion. Key concerns included the need for approved stormwater plans for the Highway 509 interchange, potential impacts to Tyee Pond and Des Moines Creek flows from construction fill and impervious surfaces, and ensuring compliance with an existing Agreed Order governing groundwater contamination. Staff member Tom Luster warned that draft meeting notes did not accurately reflect prior internal agreements, and that issuing a 401 without addressing these issues could fail to meet regulatory requirements.

Email exchange dated October 24, 2000 between Ann Kenny (Ecology NWRO, 425-649-4310) and Rachel McCrea of Floyd & Snider, Inc. regarding Third Runway 401 permit negotiations with Port Of Seattle. McCrea informs Kenny she will be replacing Tom Luster in the 401 permit negotiations and provides meeting notes (3rw-401 100200, 100600, 101000, 101300, 102000). Upcoming

Final draft meeting notes prepared by Rachel McCrea of Floyd & Snider Inc. for the Sea-Tac Airport Third Runway 401 Permit Negotiations meeting held October 24, 2000, 1:30–5:00 PM. Attendees include representatives from King County (Kelly Whiting, Mark Lampard), AquaTerra (Joe Brascher), Earthtech (Rick Schaefer), Parametrix (Paul Fendt, Jim Dexter), HNTB (Alan Black), and Floyd