2023-10-24
Commissioners, It’s with an increasingly heavy heart we take in your discussion of the Property Tax Levy every year now. Despite your claims to be the most progressive commission ever, the tax levy is evidence that your relationship with the cities under the flight path, especially fence line communities, is steadily becoming less equitable with
An infographic published by 350 Seattle detailing aviation's environmental impact, including projected emissions growth to +1200% by 2050, environmental justice concerns around Sea-Tac Airport, and the claim that commercial aviation produced 918 million metric tons of CO2 in 2018. The infographic includes a map showing the 3km and 10km pollution radius around Sea-Tac Airport and calls for a reduction in aviation to meet climate goals.
2023-07-10
This environmental health study examines how exposure to ultrafine particles and other air pollutants varies across the greater Seattle area based on income, race and ethnicity, and historical redlining grades assigned by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC). Researchers analyzed pollutant concentration data from 2019-2020 alongside census and demographic data to identify disparities between communities. The supplemental materials include statistical tables and scatterplots supporting the main findings on environmental inequality across Seattle neighborhoods.
2023-07-05
A University of Washington study found that low-income and minority communities in the greater Seattle area are exposed to significantly higher levels of ultrafine particles (UFPs) and other air pollutants compared to wealthier, predominantly white neighborhoods. The research also revealed that neighborhoods historically designated as 'hazardous' under 1930s redlining practices continue to experience disproportionately poor air quality today. Disparities were most pronounced for UFPs, which are tiny particles linked to heart, lung, and brain health problems, and least pronounced for fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
2023-06-07
The South King County Community Fund, created in 2018, provides $10 million to communities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to address airport noise, environmental health, and economic development. In 2020, $1.5 million was allocated across three programs: economic recovery and workforce development grants, an environmental grants program, and support for minority- and women-owned businesses. Projects are evaluated on criteria including community ties, target populations, equity impact, and benefits to Port-related industries such as aviation and construction.
2023-02-14
H.R. 1048, the Aviation Noise and Emissions Mitigation Act, introduced in February 2023, would direct the EPA to establish a 3-year pilot grant program to measure aircraft and airport noise and emissions—including greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and ultrafine particles—in communities near airports and flight paths. Grant recipients would be required to use technology capable of tracing noise and emissions to specific sources, produce neighborhood- and ZIP Code-level data, and work with local organizations to develop mitigation strategies. The program aims to create a replicable national model for ongoing monitoring and to identify frontline communities disproportionately impacted by aviation-related pollution.
2023-02-14
H.R. 1048, the Aviation Noise and Emissions Mitigation Act, introduced in February 2023, would direct the EPA to establish a 3-year pilot grant program to measure aircraft and airport noise and emissions—including greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and ultrafine particles—in communities near airports and flight paths. Grant recipients would be required to use technology capable of tracing noise and emissions to specific sources, produce neighborhood- and ZIP Code-level data, and work with local organizations to develop mitigation strategies. The program aims to create a replicable national model for ongoing monitoring and to identify frontline communities disproportionately impacted by aviation-related pollution.
2023-01-01
This progress report from Front and Centered evaluates Washington State's HEAL Act, a landmark environmental justice law, assessing how state agencies are implementing requirements such as community engagement plans, environmental health disparities mapping, and funding structures. The report focuses on protecting frontline communities of color from compounding environmental, climate, and economic harms. Note: this document does not address Sea-Tac Airport noise policy and is unlikely to be relevant to that specific topic area.
2022-10-12
A letter to the Commissioners of the Port of Seattle: explaining the history of Port Packages and their place in environmental justice. The American Dream is a safe, healthy home, at an affordable price, where you can raise your children, in one of the most beautiful areas in the world. But with so many Port Package failures and fewer and fewer new homes being eligible for sound insulation, that dream is becoming harder to achieve under the flight path.
2023-10-24
2023-07-10
2023-07-10
2023-07-05
2023-06-07
2023-02-14
2023-01-01