TagNEPA(390)
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2025-09-24Final Environmental Assessment for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
★ 33The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) in September 2025 for near-term construction and development projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, prepared on behalf of the Port of Seattle. The Final EA was updated from an earlier Draft EA to reflect public and agency comments, correct errors, and remove sections on climate change, environmental justice, and cumulative impacts following changes to federal executive orders, regulations, and a 2025 Supreme Court ruling. These regulatory shifts meant the FAA was no longer required to analyze how the proposed projects might affect vulnerable communities or contribute to broader environmental trends. -
2025-09-01Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects at the seattle-tacoma international airport
★ 32FAA’s Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The document provides final agency determinations and approvals for federal actions necessary to implement 31 near-term improvement projects addressing efficiency, safety, and passenger processing needs at SEA. -
2006-04-28National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing instructions for airport actions
★FAA Order 5050.4B, effective April 28, 2006, provides the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Airports with instructions for evaluating the environmental impacts of major federal actions at public-use airports, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It updates and replaces the previous Order 5050.4A ('Airports Environmental Handbook'), which had been in use for over 20 years. The order covers processes for analyzing environmental effects, including noise impacts, associated with airport development actions such as runway extensions and other airport improvements. -
1997-05-07Final supplemental environmental impact statement: Proposed master plan update, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
★ 32This Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) evaluates proposed updates to the Master Plan for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, examining the effects of revised aviation demand forecasts on runway capacity, safety improvements, and landside facilities. It analyzes a range of alternatives to address poor-weather airfield performance, runway length needs for Pacific Rim flights, and runway safety area compliance with FAA standards. The document also assesses environmental consequences including noise impacts on surrounding communities, air quality, wetlands, and construction effects. -
2026-08-29Appendix O: Agency & Public Engagement
Appendix O of the FAA NEPA Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) at Sea-Tac Airport. Documents agency and public engagement activities during the EA process, including coordination under NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), FAA Orders 1050.1F and 5050.4B, and CEQ regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508). Notes regulatory changes including -
Appendix K SEPA Environmental Justice Disparities Map page 124
Figure 5-1 from a SEPA Environmental Justice Memorandum prepared by Landrum and Brown (document no. 553-2912-002, dated April 2026) maps Washington Department of Health Environmental Health Disparities Index scores across census tracts in the Sea-Tac Airport vicinity, including Seattle, Tukwila, Burien, SeaTac, Renton, Kent, and Des Moines. The map delineates four overlapping study areas—General Study Area, Surface Transportation Study Area, Air Dispersion Study Area, and Noise Study Area (65 dB contour)—over a background showing health disparity rankings ranging from 1–5 (Low) to 10 (High), with most tracts in the project vicinity ranked 9–10. -
2026-05-28Formal Comment of Jeffrey Bogen: SAMP Draft EIS Noise Analysis Deficiency — Inadequate Metric and Health Impact Assessment
A Des Moines resident's formal comment argues that the Seattle-Area Metroplex Environmental Impact Statement's noise analysis is legally inadequate because it relies solely on a federal FAA noise threshold rather than Washington State's own multi-factor significance standard. The comment contends that the standard noise metric used (DNL) masks the real impact of roughly 96 additional daily flights projected by 2037, since it averages out individual disturbance events rather than counting them. The commenter calls for supplemental analysis using alternative metrics—such as single-event sound levels and nighttime averages—supported by peer-reviewed health studies linking aircraft noise to sleep disruption and cardiovascular harm. -
2026-05-26Sustainable Airport Master Plan near-term projects: State Environmental Policy Act draft environmental impact statement and next steps
The Port of Seattle presented a draft Environmental Impact Statement under Washington State's environmental review law (SEPA) for a set of near-term construction projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The projects, part of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan, include expansions and improvements such as new gates, taxiway extensions, a second terminal, cargo facilities, and roadway upgrades. The presentation outlined the environmental review process and next steps, including public outreach and engagement. -
2026-05-26Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects: SEPA Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Next Steps
The Port of Seattle presented a Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near-Term Projects update to commissioners on May 26, 2026, covering both federal (NEPA) and state (SEPA) environmental review processes for planned expansions at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The projects include new terminals, taxiway extensions, cargo facilities, a fuel farm expansion, and other infrastructure improvements spread across the airport campus. The presentation outlined the completion of a Final Environmental Assessment and FAA Finding of No Significant Impact, as well as the next steps for a Draft SEPA Environmental Impact Statement and community outreach. -
2026-05-22SAMP Near-Term Projects Draft EIS: Chapter 1, Introduction and Purpose & Need
The Port of Seattle is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under Washington State's Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) for 31 near-term construction and improvement projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). These projects, drawn from the airport's 2018 Sustainable Airport Master Plan, aim to improve passenger facilities, safety, efficiency, and airport access ahead of a projected 2032 completion date. The review follows a completed federal environmental assessment and addresses the region's growing air travel demand while evaluating potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures.