TagFAA(684)

This December 2001 letter from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Western Washington office provides detailed comments on a Monitoring Plan for Embankment Fill Seepage related to a Sea-Tac Airport Master Plan Update, reviewed under the Endangered Species Act. The agency requested key revisions, including monitoring both seepage quality and quantity, beginning monitoring when seepage first occurs rather than after embankment completion, and ensuring groundwater wells are considered as a monitoring pathway. The letter also clarified that any exceedances of water quality criteria must be reported promptly, and that the Federal Aviation Administration—not the Port—would be responsible for reinitiating formal consultation.

Letter dated December 20, 2001 from Ken S. Berg, Manager, Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) to James M. Lynch, Stoel Rives LLP, providing 20 numbered comments on the Monitoring Plan for Embankment Fill Seepage submitted August 10, 2001 under Endangered Species Act consultation 1-3-00-F-1420 (Sea-Tac Airport Master Plan Update).

In October 2001, the Port of Seattle issued a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) under the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) for a proposed FAA Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The project involved leasing a 19-acre site to the FAA for construction of a new 50,000-square-foot, two-story building to replace the existing TRACON located in the airport's main terminal, with the facility tracking all aircraft within 60 miles of Sea-Tac. The Port concluded that the project would not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment, meaning a full Environmental Impact Statement was not required.

Letter dated September 19, 2001 from Lowell H. Johnson, Manager, FAA Airports Division, Northwest Mountain Region, to Thomas F. Mueller, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Branch, Seattle District Office, responding to Mueller’s August 15, 2001 inquiry comparing operational data to SIMMOD model predictions for Sea-Tac Airport (KSEA). Enclosure paper titled ‘Delay at Seattle-Tacoma International

NMFS No. WSB-00-318. Letter dated August 9, 2001 from NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Acting Regional Administrator Donna Darm to Lowell H. Johnson, Manager Airport Division, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), regarding Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation under Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) Section 305(b)(2) and 50 CFR 600 for Master Plan

FAA Northwest Mountain Region letter dated August 9, 2001, from Lowell H. Johnson (Manager, Airports Division) to Colonel Ralph Graves (District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District Office) regarding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport third runway project. References May 22 meeting and April 30 Memorandum for Record. Describes two written environmental re-evaluations of the Final

FAA Northwest Mountain Region Record of Decision (ROD) dated August 8, 2001, determining that no supplemental EIS is required for Port of Seattle Master Plan Update (MPU) development actions at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including the Third Runway project. Relies on 1996 Final EIS and 1997 Supplemental EIS (FSEIS). Two environmental reevaluations (Appendix A and Appendix

FAA Northwest Mountain Region letter dated June 19, 2001, from FAA to Ms. Muffy Walker, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch Seattle District Office, following up on May 31, 2001 letter. Addresses three issues raised in April 30, 2001 Memorandum for the Record regarding the Port of Seattle third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Motion for Voluntary Dismissal filed by Mark C. Rutzick on behalf of petitioners Airport Communities Coalition (ACC), City of Des Moines, City of Normandy Park, City of Burien, City of Federal Way, City of Tukwila, and Highline School District No. 401 in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Case No. 00-70848. Petitioners sought dismissal under