TagPort Of Seattle(2609)

This 1996 Memorandum of Agreement establishes a 24-month air quality monitoring program near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, involving the Port of Seattle, FAA, EPA, Washington State Department of Ecology, and the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency. The program, funded at $195,000, focuses on measuring carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and aircraft fuel particle residue to establish baseline air quality data and evaluate potential pollution impacts from planned airport expansion projects. The Port agreed not to proceed with expansion elements projected to cause carbon monoxide standard violations until monitoring is complete and, if necessary, mitigation measures are identified.

A 1996 Memorandum of Agreement between the Port of Seattle, FAA, EPA, Washington State Department of Ecology, and the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency established a 24-month air quality monitoring program near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The $195,000 program was designed to measure carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and aircraft fuel particle residue in order to establish baseline pollution data and assess the accuracy of earlier 'worst case' air quality models from the airport's Final Environmental Impact Statement. The Port agreed not to proceed with Master Plan expansion projects projected to cause CO standard exceedances until monitoring was complete and, if necessary, appropriate mitigation measures were identified.

This 1996 document summarizes public responses to a proposed modification of the water discharge permit (NPDES Permit No. WA-002465-1) for Sea-Tac International Airport, operated by the Port of Seattle. It addresses concerns raised at a June 1996 public hearing in Burien, WA, including questions about self-monitoring of water samples, erosion and water flow in Miller Creek, and the Department of Ecology's enforcement and fining process. The document outlines how Ecology responded to community concerns and describes permit changes, such as a new condition requiring the Port to assess the airport's impact on local creek hydrology.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport operates one of the nation's most comprehensive airport noise management programs, divided into Noise Abatement measures — such as restricting the noisiest Stage 2 jets at night, controlling ground engine use, and routing flight paths over fewer homes — and Noise Remedy programs that help affected residents through home sound insulation, sales assistance, and a completed acquisition program that purchased 1,400 severely impacted homes. The Port of Seattle also monitors noise levels through an 11-station system and tracks flight paths using FAA radar data to ensure compliance. Residents can report concerns or request information 24 hours a day via the Noise Information/Complaint Line at 433-5393 or toll-free at 1-800-826-1147.

In 1996, Lynnwood engineer Hank Hopkins proposed using barges and an electric conveyor belt system to transport the roughly 14 million cubic yards of fill dirt needed to build a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, rather than relying on a constant stream of dump trucks. Hopkins argued his patented modular conveyor system would be faster, cheaper, quieter, and less disruptive to surrounding communities than the truck-based approach outlined in the environmental study. The city of Des Moines, which opposed the runway project, was seen as the primary obstacle to approving the conveyor plan, as the system would require city permits that trucking would not.

The Expert Arbitration Panel on Noise and Demand/System Management Issues issued its final decision on noise issues related to Resolution A-93-03, which set noise reduction conditions for PSRC authorization of a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. A majority of the Panel found that the Port of Seattle had not demonstrated a sufficient reduction in

Appendix E contains public comments submitted in response to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Master Plan Update. Commenters include the Highline Water District, the Washington State Department of Ecology, the U.S. Public Health Service, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, raising concerns about groundwater contamination, the handling of aircraft de-icing glycols, storm water runoff, and surface mining permit requirements for borrow sites on Port of Seattle property. The agencies generally called for stronger mitigation measures and clearer answers to environmental questions before approving the proposed airport expansion.