TagESA(13)

This May 2026 ESA policy briefing provides an update on federal permitting policy, noting that all three branches of government — legislative, executive, and judicial — are actively shaping permitting decisions. A key highlight is that Trump's second term has seen a dramatically higher number of first-year executive orders than any previous administration in recent history, signaling an aggressive pace of executive action on regulatory and permitting matters. While the document focuses broadly on federal permitting trends, its content is relevant to infrastructure and environmental review processes that can affect airport-related noise and land-use decisions.

Environmental Science Associates hosted a webinar examining rapid changes in federal environmental permitting, covering topics such as streamlined categorical exclusions under NEPA, cultural resources consultation under Section 106, and the growing use of AI tools in environmental review workflows. Experts noted that agencies face increasing pressure to accelerate infrastructure permitting timelines while maintaining legally defensible documentation, particularly as recent court decisions and regulatory rescissions create greater agency discretion and less standardized guidance. Organizations are advised to invest in adaptable workflows and early interagency coordination to manage permitting risk in this shifting landscape.

This December 2019 report by ESA for the Port of Seattle analyzes two standard Noise Abatement Departure Profiles (NADPs) used at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: the Close-in profile, which reduces noise near the runway end, and the Distant profile, which reduces noise farther along the departure path. The analysis finds that the Distant NADP provides the greatest noise relief to the residential and developed communities surrounding Sea-Tac Airport. The report includes background on departure profiles, noise analysis results, and recommendations for the airport's noise abatement policy.