TagPart 150(262)

This document outlines the proposed schedule for Sea-Tac Airport's Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study, running from May 2012 through March 2013. Key milestones include submitting a preliminary draft to the FAA in October 2012, a public comment period and hearing in January 2013, and final submission to the FAA by March 15, 2013. The schedule also details four Port Commission briefings at which officials would be updated on noise exposure maps, FAA feedback, and the formal adoption of the final Part 150 document.

The City of Des Moines, Washington repealed its local Sound Code (DMMC 14.08.180–14.08.440) in response to reduced aircraft noise projections from the Port of Seattle's Part 150 Study, improved State building codes, and concerns from the development community that the code was unnecessarily burdensome. The repeal does not affect homeowners' eligibility for Port of Seattle sound insulation remediation funding. The city indicated it would continue to support residents through consumer information resources on sound protection options.

At a March 1, 2012 Des Moines, WA City Council study session, staff presented a policy discussion on whether to update the city's Sound Transmission Control (Sound Code) requirements, which govern noise-reducing construction standards for buildings near Sea-Tac Airport. The existing code, last revised in 1996, was criticized by developers and homeowners as overly burdensome, while the Port of Seattle's official 'Part 150' noise contour study won't be finalized until 2016. The Council was asked to consider options ranging from immediate regulatory relief—such as reducing sound zones, limiting requirements to windows only, or making compliance voluntary—to waiting until the 2016 study is complete before making any changes.

The Port of Seattle held a public open house at Sea-Tac International Airport on April 9, 2011, to present feasibility-stage proposals for reducing airport noise affecting surrounding communities. Mitigation options under consideration included building a hush house to muffle engine run-ups, installing air conditioning in uninsulated single-family homes within the updated 65 DNL noise boundary, providing sound insulation for multi-family and mobile homes, and assisting local jurisdictions with long-term land-use planning. The Port planned to submit its recommended solutions to the FAA by the end of 2011, after which the FAA would conduct a 180-day review to determine which measures it would help fund.

This document outlines the Runway Use Agreement between the FAA and the Port of Seattle at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), effective December 6, 2010. It establishes preferred runway assignments for arrivals and departures under various weather and traffic conditions, while making clear that safety and air traffic management always take priority. The agreement does not change existing FAA practices but aims to provide consistency and transparency for the public regarding how runways are used.

This document is Appendix N of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Update, compiled by Landrum & Brown in October 2013. It contains the FAA's official approval, dated August 19, 2010, of the aviation activity forecast submitted by Sea-Tac Airport in July 2010. The FAA determined that the forecast provided adequate justification for total aircraft operations and authorized its use in the airport's Noise Compatibility Plan Update.

The Regional Commission on Airport Affairs submitted formal scoping comments in February 2010 criticizing the planned Part 150 noise study at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as too narrow in scope and insufficient in public participation opportunities. The comments call for improvements in study documentation standards, including proper indexing, clear citations, author transparency, and plain-English presentation of data. The commission also urges that public comment periods be at least 60 days and not scheduled around major holidays.

SeaTac lawmakers voted to rescind a controversial eminent domain ordinance targeting a privately owned parking lot near the airport light-rail station, while also hearing a retail and entertainment feasibility study for an 82-acre proposed city center development adjacent to the airport. Separately, a public workshop on SeaTac Airport's Part 150 Noise Study—which examines ways to reduce aircraft noise impacts on surrounding communities—was scheduled for February 24 at Mount Rainier High School in Des Moines. The workshop was part of an ongoing public engagement process inviting residents to participate in shaping noise-reduction solutions and recommendations.