TagFAA(684)

The FAA issued a Negative Determination in July 2024, concluding that planned Near-Term Projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) are not likely to cause coastal effects under the Coastal Zone Management Act. The projects include taxiway extensions, blast pad expansions, and relocation of navigational equipment across four airfield areas, with construction set to begin in 2026 over a six-year period. Because all FAA actions are confined to upland areas within the airport property, no significant impacts to Washington State's coastal zone resources were identified.

The FAA issued a Negative Determination in July 2024, concluding that planned near-term construction and equipment-relocation projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are not likely to cause effects on Washington State's coastal zone. The 31 Near-Term Projects—drawn from the airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan—include taxiway extensions, blast pad expansions, and high-speed runway exits, with FAA involvement limited to relocating navigational aids and adjusting flight procedures on airport property. The Washington State Department of Ecology was asked to concur with this finding under the Coastal Zone Management Act.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Negative Determination in July 2024, concluding that planned near-term construction and equipment relocation projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) are not reasonably likely to cause effects on Washington State's coastal zone. The 31 Near-Term Projects, which include taxiway extensions, blast pad expansions, and relocation of navigational aids, are part of the airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan and are scheduled to begin construction in 2026. The FAA requested written concurrence from the Washington State Department of Ecology, while the Port of Seattle remains responsible for separate consistency certification for any projects requiring Clean Water Act permits.

This document is the FAA's official Record of Approval for King County International Airport/Boeing Field's (Boeing Field/BFI) Noise Compatibility Program under Federal Aviation Regulation Part 150. It outlines six key recommendations to reduce aircraft noise impacts on nearby residents, including developing combined noise contours with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, implementing quieter flight approach and departure procedures, and upgrading noise monitoring systems. The FAA reviewed and issued determinations on each recommendation, approving most measures on a voluntary basis while noting that approvals do not constitute commitments to implement the actions.

This document is an Environmental Justice Protocol prepared by Landrum & Brown, Incorporated for the Federal Aviation Administration and the Port of Seattle in June 2024. It addresses socioeconomics, environmental justice, and children's health considerations related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The protocol provides a framework for evaluating how airport-related impacts may affect minority, low-income, and other vulnerable populations in surrounding communities.

The Integrated Noise Model (INM), developed by ATAC Corporation for the FAA, was the standard computer tool used to assess aircraft noise impacts near airports like Sea-Tac, calculating noise exposure contours and predicted sound levels at sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals. It was required for airport noise compatibility planning under FAR Part 150 and environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act until it was replaced by the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) in May 2015. Though no longer valid for regulatory use in the U.S., the INM was used by over 1,000 users in 65 countries to evaluate the noise effects of runway changes, flight routing, air traffic procedures, and shifts in aircraft fleet mix.

This document is the FAA's Record of Approval for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Noise Compatibility Program, which outlines measures to reduce aircraft noise and manage land use around the airport. It covers both new and updated measures, including voluntary rescheduling of nighttime flights, preferential runway use during nighttime hours, and a Fly Quiet Program to encourage airlines to follow noise abatement procedures. The FAA approved most measures as continuations of previously approved programs dating back to 1985, while disapproving the engine maintenance run-up regulations.

This FAA presentation covers Airport/Community Noise Roundtables and FAA support for addressing aircraft noise concerns near airports like Sea-Tac. It explains that effective roundtables build consensus among all affected communities, while the FAA's Air Traffic Organization (ATO) works through a large backlog of noise-reduction recommendations, each requiring months of technical feasibility review and environmental assessment. The FAA encourages communities to focus on the most actionable recommendations and to form alliances, emphasizing that collaborative, balanced solutions produce the best long-term outcomes.