TagNorth Sea-Tac Park(91)

... to prepare documentation and establish a timeline for Commission action with the goal of permanently designating North SeaTac Park for recreational uses, as outlined in the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. PROPOSED OCTOBER 8, 2024 INTRODUCTION The Port of Seattle is deeply committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the lands, waters, and wildlife in the Puget Sound region as well as the quality of life for local residents. In particular, the Port Commission sees North SeaTac Park as an important natural asset for the environment, for recreation, and for community use. To that end, the Port partnered with the Washington Congressional delegation to successfully advocate for the inclusion of language in the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act to allow for “community use of airport land.” Section 706 of the legislation specifically allows the Port to “permanently restrict the use of airport property to compatible recreational and public park use” provided that it meets certain criteria. To utilize the flexibility provided by this new federal legislation, the airport must provide the FAA with written certification that the property meets the requirements laid out in the legislation. As such, the Commission directs the Executive Director to undertake the process described in Section 706 with the goal of ensuring [retaining] North SeaTac Park remains a [as] community asset [permanently]. TEXT OF THE ORDER The Port Commission hereby directs the Executive Director to undertake the Port activities necessary to meet the requirements described in Section 706 of the FAA…

The Tub Lake/Sunset Park Site is located in the City of SeaTac one mile directly north of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It consists of a 50-acre wetlands, a road maintenance facility for King County Department. of Public Works, and the-southern portion of a King County Parks and Recreation facility including baseball and soccer fields. Tub Lake is a classic bog and marshlands. The water table is shallow in the area and Tub Lake receives surface runoff from the north via a small trench or ditch. Water in'the trench includes runoff from the county road maintenance facili:ty, the park facility, and other areas upland. Groundwater flow is to the south-southwest and the headwaters of Miller Creek supposedly originate in Tub Lake. Miller Creek in its lower reaches is a salmon-bearing stream (coho). The site has a history of dumping; actual quantities are unknown. Between 1941 and 1945 the area was used as a dumping area for waste oil and bilge oil from ships. Bilge oil from ships was pumped into tank trucks and hauled to the site from Seattle and there discharged by opening drain valves and dumping oily waste cargo. Oil drums were also observed at the site, but these drums were removed after their contents were dumped at the north end of the site. It has also been reported that old cars were seen dumped into Tub Lake, this was either not observed or Ecology could not find evidence that it had happened when we did the SHA. Presently,…