TagPort Of Seattle(1843)

This letter from Edward G. Tatum, Manager of the FAA Airports Division, provides interim answers to the Port of Seattle's questions about federal funding and guidelines for airport noise remedy programs near Sea-Tac Airport. It outlines key details such as 80% federal cost coverage under the Airport Safety and Noise Abatement Act, eligibility criteria for sound insulation and property purchase assistance programs, and interior sound level standards based on EPA recommendations. The letter acknowledges that the FAA and Port of Seattle are breaking new ground together in developing policies that could serve as a nationwide model for noise abatement programs.

This 1st draft memo from Jay Holman proposes adding an Airport Advisory Committee provision to RCW Chapter 53.54 on aircraft noise abatement. The committee would consist of five citizens living within five miles of the airport, appointed by Port Commissioners from a list submitted by the county, and tasked with meeting monthly to review Port decisions, relay community concerns, and make noise abatement recommendations. Members would serve staggered five-year terms, with new appointments beginning annually in 1982.

This document is a formal response to public comments on the Sea-Tac/Communities Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement, addressing concerns about the airport's Noise Remedy Program. It explains that noise program classifications for petition signers were upgraded due to factors such as summer flight patterns and proximity to approach paths, and that most signers were moved into the Purchase Guarantee area or recommended for the Cost Sharing Insulation Program. The response also notes that no specific schedule exists for noise remedy implementation due to uncertainties in federal funding, and that detailed land-use planning for acquisition areas will involve full citizen participation after properties are acquired.

The StART Policy Working Group met on January 5, 2026 to plan advocacy efforts at the state and federal level on behalf of communities neighboring Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Key topics included organizing a State Day on the Hill in Olympia on February 3, reviewing a proposed study on the airport's socioeconomic and health impacts on surrounding communities, and discussing a recent federal legislative win allowing the FAA to fund secondary noise insulation repair and replacement at airports like SEA. The group also addressed how to handle items lacking full consensus on their State Legislative Agenda, including a contentious airport-related bill expected to be revised in the upcoming session.

The City of SeaTac passed a resolution creating the Port of Seattle Negotiation Committee (PNC), an ad hoc council committee tasked with guiding negotiations between the city and the Port of Seattle, which owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The committee, composed of Deputy Mayor Senayet Negusse, Councilmember Peter Kwon, and Councilmember Joe Vinson, will work toward developing a new Interlocal Agreement to replace the current 2018 agreement set to expire in February 2028. The resolution also authorizes the City Manager to formally initiate those negotiations with the Port of Seattle.