TagFlight Corridor Safety Program(44)

In November 2016, the Port of Seattle Commission voted to create a $1 million Airport Community Ecology Fund to support environmental projects in the SeaTac, Burien, and Des Moines communities affected by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport operations. The fund was established in response to community concerns about tree removal under the Port's Flight Corridor Safety Program, and is intended to support initiatives such as tree planting, environmental education in local schools, and partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Port staff were directed to develop project selection criteria and community outreach procedures, with a full plan to be presented to the Commission by early 2017.

This map, prepared by the Port of Seattle in November 2016, shows the location of existing and potential flight-path obstructions around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of Phase 3 of the Flight Corridor Safety Obstruction Management program. It identifies private and Washington State DOT (WSDOT) properties, city boundaries for Des Moines, Burien, and SeaTac, and the approximate airport property boundary. The document is intended to support planning efforts that ensure structures in surrounding residential and commercial areas do not pose safety hazards to aircraft flight corridors.

This map, prepared by the Port of Seattle, shows the location of existing and potential flight path obstructions around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of a Flight Corridor Safety Obstruction Management study. It identifies public and state (WSDOT) properties, city boundaries for surrounding jurisdictions including Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac, and the approximate airport property boundary. The document is part of Phase 2 of the study focusing on other jurisdictions outside the airport's direct control.

Attorney David E. Ortman testified before the Seattle Port Commission in October 2016, arguing that Sea-Tac Airport's expansion plans are financially wasteful and environmentally harmful, citing a Washington State Auditor's report that found nearly $100 million wasted in Third Runway construction contracts and 10 instances of civil fraud. He contended that Sea-Tac cannot sustainably handle projected passenger growth to 66 million by 2034, and that overflight noise from the Third Runway has already depressed property values in north Seattle and Shoreline. Ortman also called on the Port to end its property tax levy, arguing that costs for fishing industry support, cruise facilities, and economic development should be borne by industry users rather than King County taxpayers.

Commission agenda memorandum requesting authorization for a $500,000 budget increase and contract award for Phase 1 of the Flight Corridor Safety Program. The project involves removing approximately 1,170 trees that obstruct aircraft operations and replanting 4,000 trees as mitigation, with total project cost of $3,231,000.

The Port of Seattle Commission considered authorizing a contract for the Flight Corridor Safety Program Phase I, a tree and vegetation removal project at Sea-Tac Airport designed to clear obstructions from navigable airspace and meet FAA safety and compliance requirements. Although the lowest contractor bid came in 28% above the engineer's estimate — a threshold requiring special Commission approval — port staff recommended awarding the contract, noting that existing funds were sufficient and no additional budget was needed. Delaying the project risked FAA non-compliance, potential restrictions on flight approach and departure procedures, and the possible loss of millions of dollars in federal grant funding.