TagFederal Grant Assurance C.6(5)

This FAA document outlines the legally binding assurances that airport sponsors must agree to when accepting federal grant funds for airport development, planning, or noise compatibility programs. Sponsors certify compliance with a broad range of federal laws, executive orders, and regulations—including civil rights, environmental, and labor standards—for the duration of the project's useful life, which can extend up to 20 years. Certain obligations, such as those related to exclusive rights, airport revenue, and real property acquired with federal funds, have no expiration as long as the airport remains in operation.

A 1998 U.S. General Accounting Office report examined whether the FAA was required to enforce a policy mandating written declarations of local support before awarding noise mitigation grants to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The report found that while FAA policy called for such written declarations from affected cities and counties, neither federal law nor FAA regulations legally required them. FAA officials maintained they still met the broader statutory requirement of ensuring noise mitigation projects were consistent with local plans.

This document compiles evidence alleging that the Port of Seattle violated Federal Grant Assurance C.6 and Washington State law RCW 53.54.020 in connection with its noise compatibility program at Sea-Tac Airport. It includes letters from elected officials, audit findings by Deloitte & Touche, and records showing the Port received over $100 million in federal funds for FAR Part 150 noise mitigation while allegedly failing to comply with the program's requirements. Supporting materials span 1990–1998 and involve Congress members, state legislators, the FAA, and the Washington State Auditor's Office.