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In March 1996, an independent expert panel concluded by a 2-1 vote that the Port of Seattle had not done enough to reduce real-world noise impacts from Sea-Tac Airport to meet the conditions set by the Puget Sound Regional Council for approving a third runway. While the panel acknowledged the Port's extensive noise abatement programs, the majority found they fell short of the meaningful reductions required under Resolution A-93-03. The panel also determined that neither demand management improvements nor alternative transportation options, such as rail, would sufficiently reduce air travel demand to eliminate the need for the additional runway.

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

In March 1996, an Expert Arbitration Panel appointed by Washington State concluded that Seattle's Port had not sufficiently reduced real on-the-ground noise impacts around Sea-Tac International Airport to meet the conditions required by Puget Sound Regional Council Resolution A-93-03 for approving a third runway. The Panel majority found that, despite an extensive array of noise abatement and mitigation programs, measurable noise reductions for surrounding communities were inadequate. One panel member dissented, arguing the Port had met the Resolution's requirements.

This archival record (Box No. 01427) contains masters of public comments submitted between March 28 and July 11, 1996, regarding the Expert Panel Noise Decision and Master Transportation Plan (MTP) amendment, along with accompanying copies designated as Box #2. The record was prepared by Doris Dungan on July 26, 2005, under the AIR department code, and is stored offsite with a permanent 'Keep' retention status.

This archival record (Box 1317, CID 10992) from the Port of Seattle's Administration office covers documents related to airport litigation, noise reduction, and policy from 1992 to 1996. Contents include correspondence with executive board members, legal memos on noise panel decisions, Port of Seattle resolutions, noise monitoring data, and materials sent to arbitration panel members regarding noise reduction measures at Sea-Tac Airport. The collection also contains environmental impact statements, runway litigation records, and studies on the effects of aircraft noise on nearby communities.

As of 1995, the central Puget Sound region was designated by the EPA as failing to meet federal air quality standards for three pollutants: carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate matter. The region held 'moderate plus' status for carbon monoxide and 'marginal' status for ozone, with State Implementation Plans (SIPs) submitted to the EPA awaiting approval. Based on improving pollution levels, the region was working toward 'maintenance' status redesignation, with 10-year maintenance plans expected to be submitted to the EPA and approved by 1996.

Vision 2020: 1995 Update is a growth management, economic, and transportation strategy document produced by the Puget Sound Regional Council for the central Puget Sound region, adopted May 25, 1995. It provides regional policy guidance developed by the Council's Growth Management and Transportation Policy Boards, covering land use and transportation planning for King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties. Funding was provided by member jurisdictions and federal transportation agencies including the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration.

Major Supplemental Airport Feasibility Study Summary Report dated March 23, 1995, sponsored by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC), prepared by TAMS Consultants, Inc. in association with Pacific Rim Resources and Parametrix, Inc. The report covers site analysis, noise impact areas (65 Ldn contours), access analysis, instrument approach capability, local airspace evaluation, site constructability, site