TagEnvironmental Review(60)

This Scoping Report, published February 12, 2019, documents the public and agency scoping process conducted by the Port of Seattle for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near-Term Projects Environmental Review. It summarizes scoping meetings held with agencies and the public, common themes raised by commenters, and organizes the written comments received during the scoping period. The report serves as the foundation for determining which environmental topics—including noise impacts—will be analyzed in the subsequent environmental review.

The Port of Seattle and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted a public scoping process in 2018 to gather input on the environmental impacts of near-term construction projects planned at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) as part of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The 60-day scoping period, which ran from July 30 to September 28, 2018, invited comments from the public and agencies through meetings, mailings, and an online open house advertised in five languages. This report summarizes the scoping process, public feedback received, and outlines next steps for the full environmental review under both federal (NEPA) and state (SEPA) environmental policy laws.

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.

The City of Des Moines, Washington submitted formal scoping comments on behalf of Mayor Matt Pina and the Des Moines City Council regarding near-term projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The comments were transmitted via email by City Clerk Bonnie Wilkins on September 28, 2018, as part of the public scoping process for the airport's Near Term Project environmental review. This document is part of Attachment 4g, which compiles scoping comments received during the review process.

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.