TagEnvironmental Review(60)

The FAA released a draft Environmental Assessment in October 2024 for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), which outlines 31 near-term projects to expand airport capacity for growing passenger demand. Key projects include a new passenger terminal and gates, taxiway extensions, cargo facility changes, and employee parking updates. The cities of SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, and Normandy Park are collaborating to submit technical comments on the plan before the December 13, 2024 deadline.

Laura Hartema of Friends of Des Moines Creek presented concerns about the proposed Des Moines Creek Business Park West Development (File #LUA2022-0044) in October 2024, highlighting significant environmental impacts including the removal of over 500 trees, filling of wetlands and streams, and more than 30 acres of site disturbance. The presentation compared 1936 and 2023 aerial photos showing the area remains largely forested, and raised issues such as arsenic in soils, stormwater management concerns, and negative effects on neighboring residential properties. The group argues the project requires more thorough environmental review to demonstrate it will not cause significant harm to critical natural areas and the surrounding community.

The Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) outlines 31 near-term construction projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including a second terminal with 19 gates, new cargo facilities, and roadway changes, all aimed at serving up to 56 million passengers annually by 2050. A federal environmental review (NEPA) is underway to assess potential impacts, with a 45-day public comment period opening October 21, 2024, allowing community members to submit feedback online, by mail, or at public libraries in Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac. A separate state-level environmental review (SEPA) will follow once the federal process is complete.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), completed in 2018, outlines 31 near-term development projects and is currently undergoing a federal environmental review (NEPA) process, with a draft Environmental Assessment published in October 2024. The review evaluates potential impacts on air quality, water resources, noise, and other environmental factors before any projects move forward. Once the federal NEPA process concludes, a Washington State-level environmental review (SEPA) will follow.

This report analyzes existing traffic conditions around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near-Term Projects Environmental Review. It examines 108 intersections—including 63 signalized, 41 stop-controlled, and 4 uncontrolled—along key routes connecting the airport to surrounding communities, focusing on the weekday PM peak hour (4–6 p.m.). Freeway segments of SR 518 and I-5 were also evaluated at WSDOT's request to provide a comprehensive picture of surface transportation conditions in the airport study area.

The Port of Seattle presented an environmental review of near-term construction projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of its Sustainable Airport Master Plan. The projects include expanding passenger terminals and gates to handle a projected 56 million annual passengers, adding cargo and fuel storage facilities, and upgrading airfield infrastructure to meet current FAA safety standards. The review was presented to the Highline Forum in May 2024 by Senior Environmental Program Manager Steve Rybolt.