TagPort Of Seattle(2349)

The Burien Airport Committee held a virtual meeting on May 19, 2020, to discuss airport-related policy matters, including a proposed letter to Port Commissioners about a 'new normal' for airport operations, comments on a Department of Commerce report, and a possible invitation to an FAA Community Ombudsperson. Draft minutes from the April 21, 2020 meeting were also reviewed, covering Chair Tosta's Washington, D.C. visit to advocate for a comprehensive cumulative impact assessment of the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The meetings, held via Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions, reflect ongoing community and city council efforts to address noise and environmental concerns related to Sea-Tac Airport.

This draft report, prepared by Jacobs and ZLB for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in March 2020, analyzes aviation easements for off-airport properties located near the airport's runways. It focuses on two Highline School District parcels (King County Parcels 768620-0705 and 768620-1040), documenting the removal of 26 trees that previously penetrated federally defined airspace protection surfaces, including approach, departure, and transitional surfaces. The analysis confirms that all identified obstacles have been removed as part of a construction package, and provides detailed elevation and coordinate data for parcel boundary points relative to runway thresholds.

In March 2020, Port of Seattle officials and representatives from surrounding cities including Burien, Tukwila, SeaTac, Federal Way, and Des Moines traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with the FAA and members of Congress about aircraft noise and emissions issues affecting the Puget Sound region. The group advocated for implementation of key provisions from the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act, including a review of the 65 DNL noise standard, a study on the health impacts of overflight noise, and a new environmental mitigation pilot program. The meetings emphasized that local authorities have limited power to address flight paths, aircraft types, or noise insulation funding, and that federal action is needed to provide new tools and resources for affected communities.

The Burien Airport Committee met in January and February 2020 to address concerns related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including efforts to push the FAA to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) rather than a lesser Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan. The committee also discussed re-engagement with the StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) process, involving six cities in dialogue with the Port of Seattle, and planned a joint visit to Washington, D.C. in March 2020 to advocate for community interests on airport noise and expansion issues.

The Port of Seattle Commission held a regular meeting on February 25, 2020, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, covering a range of airport and maritime topics. Key noise-related items included a Noise Programs Briefing and Motion 2020-04, which directed the acceleration of the sound insulation program at Sea-Tac Airport. Additional agenda items addressed airport infrastructure, security upgrades, and the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Environmental Review.

This February 2020 Port of Seattle Commission memorandum outlines the organization's top local and regional policy priorities for 2020, including industrial lands protection, clean fuels and sustainability, cruise terminal development, and equity and inclusion initiatives. The document covers Port-wide priorities such as reducing carbon emissions, supporting regional transportation mobility, and workforce development across King County. While the document addresses broad Port operations and planning, it does not specifically focus on Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

The Highline Forum held its January 22, 2020 meeting at SeaTac City Hall, focusing on the 2020 Legislative Session and shared policy agendas among local governments and the Port of Seattle. Key agenda items included updates from the City of SeaTac, discussions of state legislative priorities, and StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) updates related to airport noise and community impacts. The document also outlines six scheduled 2020 meeting dates at rotating venues including Highline College, the Port of Seattle's International Conference Center, and the City of Burien City Hall.

This January 2020 update from the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) Noise Working Group covers three main areas: a Ground Noise Study collecting 2019 operations data from airlines, an Aircraft Departure Profiles Analysis showing that the 'distant departure' procedure reduces noise the most for nearby communities, and a Late Night Noise Limitation Program identifying EVA Air, FedEx Express, and China Airlines Cargo as the carriers with the most noise violations in Q4. The study was scheduled to produce a final report with mitigation options by October/November 2020. The update was presented at the Highline Forum on January 22, 2020.