TagPSRC(89)

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.

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.

A January 1995 order from Washington State's Puget Sound Regional Council Expert Arbitration Panel addresses noise reduction requirements at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The Panel ruled that the Port of Seattle must provide objective, measurable evidence of meaningful real-world noise reductions in surrounding communities by 1996, not merely demonstrate compliance with existing Noise Budget goals or monitoring programs. The Panel also found the Port's proposed Noise Validation Methodology insufficient, citing concerns that the 11 existing remote monitoring stations did not adequately represent the full range of noise experienced by impacted residents.

In April 1993, the Puget Sound Regional Council adopted Resolution A-93-03, amending its Regional Airport System Plan to address long-term commercial air transportation needs for the central Puget Sound region. The resolution established a dual-track strategy of pursuing both a major supplemental airport within the four-county area and a third runway at Sea-Tac Airport, with the third runway to be authorized by April 1, 1996 unless a viable supplemental site could eliminate that need. Key conditions attached to the third runway approval included independent evaluation of demand management programs and measurable noise reduction performance objectives, while small supplemental airports such as Paine Field were eliminated as preferred alternatives.

This collection contains materials from the Flight Plan Project workshops held in January and February 1993, organized for the Regional Council's Transportation Policy Board and Executive Board to address airport planning and capacity needs in the Puget Sound region. The binders include working papers, overhead presentations, environmental impact statement documents, public hearing records, and correspondence from stakeholders ranging from the FAA and Port of Seattle to community groups opposing airport expansion. Key topics covered include demand management, noise abatement, regional airport system alternatives, and the evaluation of sites such as Sea-Tac and Paine Field.

The Flight Plan Project, published in January 1992 by the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Port of Seattle, examines the long-term air carrier system needs of the Puget Sound region. The report includes study findings, draft recommendations, and a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. It was funded in part by grants from the Federal Aviation Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

A January 1981 letter from the Puget Sound Council of Governments invites citizens and agencies to review a draft Regional Airport System Plan covering 1980 to 2000, which outlines existing aviation facilities, projected needs, and recommendations for expanding several airports in the region. The plan also calls for construction of a new industrial/commuter airport in the King-Snohomish service area, though no specific site is identified. Public comments were due before February 27, 1981, with the King Subregional Council expected to vote on adoption in March 1981.