TagEnvironmental Review(31)

This February 2019 Scoping Report documents the public and agency input process for the environmental review of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's near-term construction projects, planned for completion by 2027 under the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The Port of Seattle and the FAA conducted a 60-day public scoping period from July 30 to September 28, 2018, gathering community concerns about potential environmental impacts through meetings, mailings, and online outreach in five languages. The report compiles scoping comments, meeting materials, and agency responses to inform the forthcoming environmental review under both federal (NEPA) and state (SEPA) law.

A public meeting was held on September 10, 2018, at Highline Community College to allow Des Moines residents to weigh in on the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), which outlines Sea-Tac Airport's growth strategy through 2027. The plan proposes removing limits on Third Runway use and adding 80,000 more annual flights on top of the existing 416,000, raising community concerns about noise, health risks, property values, and environmental justice. Residents were urged to attend and submit comments before the scoping period closed on September 28, 2018.

This 2018 FAA memorandum explains how a special environmental review shortcut—called a Categorical Exclusion (CATEX 1)—can be used to streamline approval of certain GPS-based flight procedures (RNAV/RNP) at major airports, including core hub airports like Sea-Tac, without requiring a full environmental impact study. The exclusion applies unless officials determine that extraordinary circumstances exist that could cause significant environmental harm, such as notable noise impacts on surrounding communities. Specific documentation and approval from FAA environmental and legal offices are required before the exclusion can be applied.

Port of Seattle presentation outlining the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) long-term vision with concurrent strategies to serve market demand. Shows current projects for 46.9M passengers, near-term projects targeting 56M passengers by 2027, and long-term vision for demand beyond 2027 including additional planning and environmental review requirements.

This February 2018 briefing presents an update to the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, outlining both near-term improvement projects and a long-term development vision for the airport. The plan addresses existing conditions, development constraints, and key functional areas—including terminal, cargo, and displaced facilities—while also covering environmental review and stakeholder engagement processes. A phased approach guides how the airport intends to manage growth and infrastructure changes over time.

The Port of Seattle's February 2018 briefing updates the Commission on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), a long-range planning effort initiated in 2013 to identify facility improvements needed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport over a 20-year horizon. The plan proposes a package of near-term projects—including 19 gates connected to a new terminal north of the existing complex—projected to meet capacity needs through 2027, while keeping the airport's current three-runway system in place. Public scoping for environmental review of these near-term projects was anticipated to begin in mid-to-late 2018.

This SEPA environmental checklist prepared by the Port of Seattle covers the proposed renovation and expansion of the North Satellite Terminal at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The project would expand the terminal footprint from 91,500 to 154,500 square feet, adding eight new airplane gates for a total of twenty contact gates. Construction was planned in two