TagNEPA(390)

In September 2018, the cities of SeaTac, Burien, Normandy Park, and Des Moines jointly submitted scoping comments on the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, raising concerns about the growing impacts of airport expansion on their communities. The cities argued that the environmental review must cover the entire SAMP—not just near-term construction projects—to fully account for cumulative impacts including increased aircraft noise, air emissions, and traffic congestion in nearby residential neighborhoods. They also called for a baseline assessment stretching back to 2012 to capture significant growth that has already occurred without adequate environmental review.

A Beacon Hill resident submitted scoping comments in September 2018 regarding the Sea-Tac Airport expansion, raising concerns about air quality, airplane emissions, noise impacts on children's health, traffic congestion, and environmental justice for communities of color. The commenter requested studies on health effects for nearby residents, better public outreach to non-English-speaking communities, and neighborhood noise monitoring equipment. She also expressed frustration about cost overruns on existing airport projects and the limited accessibility of the public open house held at New Holly.

In September 2018, the cities of SeaTac, Burien, Normandy Park, and Des Moines submitted joint scoping comments urging the Port of Seattle to broaden its environmental review of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) beyond just near-term construction projects. The cities argued that cumulative impacts — including a projected 60% increase in aircraft operations and 75% rise in passengers by 2034 — require a full analysis of noise, air quality, and traffic effects on nearby communities. They also called for a baseline period starting in 2012, rather than 2018, to capture the significant growth and airspace changes that have already occurred without adequate environmental review.

The City of SeaTac submitted formal scoping comments to the Port of Seattle in September 2018, raising concerns that the environmental review for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) was too narrowly focused on 'near term projects' and should be expanded to cover the airport's full long-term growth vision. The city also reminded the Port of binding commitments made in a 2018 Interlocal Agreement and a 2015 Letter of Understanding, including promises to assess transportation impacts, protect nearby wetlands, and mitigate effects on city streets from increased cargo truck and passenger traffic. Key issues flagged include the impact of new cargo facilities, a proposed employee parking lot near wetlands, and the need to account for public transit use by airport workers and travelers.

The City of Des Moines, Washington submitted formal scoping comments on behalf of Mayor Matt Pina and the Des Moines City Council regarding near-term projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The comments were transmitted via email by City Clerk Bonnie Wilkins on September 28, 2018, as part of the public scoping process for the airport's Near Term Project environmental review. This document is part of Attachment 4g, which compiles scoping comments received during the review process.

In September 2018, Alaska Airlines submitted formal comments to the Port of Seattle during the scoping phase of Sea-Tac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), urging the Port to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) rather than a less rigorous Environmental Assessment (EA). The airline argued that an EIS would better withstand legal challenges, produce more meaningful public input, and ultimately be more cost-effective by reducing litigation risk. Alaska Airlines also called on the Port to broaden the range of alternatives under consideration beyond just North Terminal options, since the SAMP's stated purpose addresses airport-wide concerns.

In a September 2018 letter to the Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines urged that the environmental review of Sea-Tac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) be conducted as a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) rather than the less rigorous Environmental Assessment (EA) proposed by the Port and FAA. The airline argued that an EIS would provide stronger legal protection, more meaningful public input, and ultimately prove more cost-effective by reducing litigation risk. Alaska Airlines also pushed back on the Port's plan to focus expansion alternatives solely on a North Terminal, advocating instead for serious consideration of extending and modifying existing Main Terminal concourses as a viable alternative.

The Burien Aviation Advisory Committee met on September 17, 2018 to discuss the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) and its environmental review process. Key topics included a poorly-received public scoping meeting at Highline College that drew over 300 attendees, and the committee's review of draft scoping comments to be submitted jointly by the cities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and SeaTac. The committee agreed to present a formal letter of scoping comments to City Council on September 27, 2018, ahead of the September 28 submission deadline.

This document contains public scoping comments from a September 10, 2018 hearing, including testimony from Jill Aldrich, a property owner of over 50 years, who raised concerns about a building site on 24th Avenue South near Des Moines Creek. She described observing bulldozed dirt and construction activity in close proximity to a stream located in a King County-designated Critical Area, visible from the Des Moines Creek Trail. Her comments reflect community concerns about environmental protection of nearby waterways during nearby development.