TagNEPA(463)

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.

The Port of Seattle outlined an environmental review schedule for the NTP (Noise Trajectory Program) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, spanning 2018 to 2019. Key steps included public scoping meetings held in September 2018 in cities such as Des Moines, Seattle, Federal Way, and Sea-Tac, followed by environmental analysis and the release of draft and final NEPA/SEPA documents through late 2019. Community members could submit scoping comments by September 28, 2018, via the project website, email, mail, or in person at scoping meetings.

The Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee met on August 13, 2018 to discuss the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental scoping process, including a public scoping meeting scheduled for September 10, 2018 at Highline College. Committee members, city officials, and residents raised concerns about airport noise, air and water pollution, and the scope of the environmental review, which will cover both state (SEPA) and federal (NEPA) requirements. The committee encouraged broad community participation in the upcoming scoping meeting and discussed ensuring that airport expansion since 2012 be included in the review.

This report, produced by Community Attributes Inc. for the Port of Seattle and revised in August 2018, analyzes the economic impacts of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). It is included as Appendix K in a broader study covering socioeconomics and children's health topics related to airport operations. The findings are intended to inform decision makers about the airport's role in the regional economy and its effects on surrounding communities.