TagNEPA(144)

These documents contain communications from January 2017 regarding aircraft noise concerns over the Seahurst and White Center neighborhoods near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. A noise consultant advises that Seahurst likely falls below the FAA's 65 dBA threshold that defines 'noise sensitive areas,' arguing this means an Environmental Assessment (EA) and historic property inventory are not required. Separately, a Burien resident emails city officials sharing research from Sea-Tac's Part 150 Study suggesting that flights over these neighborhoods were anticipated and approved, and that the absence of an EIS may not constitute valid grounds for litigation by the Quieter Skies coalition.

This academic paper examines how U.S. federal agencies have addressed Environmental Justice (EJ) since President Clinton's 1994 Executive Order 12898, which required agencies to reduce disproportionate pollution burdens on low-income and minority communities. The author, a Bureau of Land Management social scientist, reviews agency compliance efforts, highlights case studies like the Flint water crisis, and argues that practical steps such as staff training and social science tools can help agencies consistently protect vulnerable communities regardless of shifting political priorities.

This 2016 report by Palo Alto resident Mark Shull examines how the FAA's NextGen 'Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in the Metroplex' (OAPM) program, implemented between 2012 and 2015, led to dramatically increased aircraft noise over residential communities by redesigning flight paths to be lower, straighter, and more concentrated. The author argues that while the program was publicly marketed as improving efficiency, reducing fuel use, and lowering environmental impact, its primary purpose was increasing airport capacity by reducing separation between aircraft and simplifying flight corridors. The report traces the legislative, regulatory, and industry decisions that shaped the program, concluding that communities were left worse off and that genuine air traffic modernization will be harder to achieve going forward.

FAA Order 1050.1F, effective July 16, 2015, establishes the Federal Aviation Administration's policies and procedures for complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), covering actions such as grants, construction, rulemaking, and NextGen airspace improvements. The order outlines when environmental reviews, assessments, or full impact statements are required, and defines responsibilities for the FAA, applicants, and contractors. It is relevant to noise and environmental impact considerations at airports like Sea-Tac, as it governs how the FAA evaluates and documents the environmental effects of aviation-related actions.

A comprehensive legal research digest that compiles and indexes airport law resources for attorneys and administrators. It provides a bibliography of federal resources, statutory materials, regulations, case law, and secondary sources related to airport legal issues including topics like eminent domain, environmental concerns, leasing, contracting, security, and liability.

This 2002 executive briefing presents the draft Master Plan and environmental review documents (SEPA/EIS and NEPA/EA) for King County International Airport (Boeing Field), located five miles south of downtown Seattle. The airport, which covers 594 acres and hosts 150 tenant businesses and 479 based aircraft, recorded approximately 290,000 flight operations in 2001. The FAA accepted the Master Plan in Fall 2001 and approved the Airport Layout Plan in March 2002, setting the stage for future development and noise impact assessments.

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the U.S. Department of the Army and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) articulating policy and procedures for determining type and level of mitigation required under Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines. AR037425. Covers three mitigation types: avoidance, minimization, and compensatory mitigation; establishes no net loss of wetlands goal;

Attachment G table detailing wetland acreage impacts and mitigation credits by wetland function for in-basin and Auburn sites, related to the Sea-Tac Airport or associated project. Functions covered include Resident/Anadromous Fish (8.6 acres impacted), Passerine Birds (14.9 acres), Waterfowl (1.9 acres), Amphibians (9.8 acres), Small Mammals (13.2 acres), Exports Organic Matter (10.9 acres), Ground Water

Attachment B table summarizing wetland acreage impacts by wetland function, associated with AR034994. Lists nine wetland functions including Resident/Anadromous Fish (8.6 acres), Passerine Birds (14.9 acres), Waterfowl (1.9 acres), Amphibians (9.8 acres), Small Mammals (13.2 acres), Exports Organic Matter (10.9 acres), Ground Water Exchange (13.0 acres), Flood Storage (4.6 acres), and Nutrient/Sediment Trapping (16.3 acres).

Resume of James C. Kelley, Ph.D., wetland ecologist with Parametrix, covering 16 years of professional experience in aquatic ecology, wetland delineation, mitigation planning, NEPA compliance, Section 404 Clean Water Act permitting, and Endangered Species Act compliance. Projects include SR 509 East-West Corridor EIS Wetland Report for Washington State Department of Transportation (Port of Tacoma), Port