Tina Orwall is a State Representative For the 33rd District. This letter is in regard to a conversation I had with her re. her proposed legislation to revise RCW 53.54 to help with Port Package Problems. There is a discussion of long-term strategic goals, including a Community Agency to administer relations with the Port. Thank
RCW 53.54.030 Draft Update (5) An individual property may be provided benefits by the port district under each of the programs described in subsections (1) through (4) of this section. However, an individual property may not be provided benefits under any one of these programs more than once, unless the property: (a) is subjected to
This Title of State law describes election procedures. For our purposes, we’re largely concerned with a path towards altering the structure and size of the Port Of Seattle’ Commission. Specifically, we’d like to see a nine-member Commission with District-based elections.
2019-09-17
Washington State law (RCW 47.80.020) authorizes the creation of Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs), formed through voluntary associations of local governments within contiguous counties. Each RTPO must meet minimum population and geographic requirements, include all counties in the region, and have at least 60% of cities and towns representing 75% of the regional city/town population as members. In urbanized areas, the RTPO is the same body as the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), also known as a COG.
2019-09-17
RCW 36.70A.200 requires counties and cities planning under Washington's Growth Management Act to include a process in their comprehensive plans for identifying and siting 'essential public facilities' — those typically difficult to site, such as airports, state education facilities, regional transportation facilities, correctional facilities, solid waste handling facilities, and inpatient care facilities. No local comprehensive plan or development regulation may outright prohibit the siting of these essential public facilities. The Office of Financial Management maintains a list of essential state public facilities likely to be built within the next six years.
2019-03-23
In a March 2019 letter to Washington State Representative Tina Orwall, activist JC Harris outlines widespread problems with Port of Seattle noise-insulation packages installed in homes near Sea-Tac Airport, including failing windows, mold growth, and costly repairs affecting over 160 documented households. Harris urges Orwall to support changes to state law (RCW 53.54.030) that would allow homeowners to receive ongoing maintenance funding rather than a single one-time payment, arguing the current system unfairly benefits the Port and airlines at residents' expense. The letter also notes that affected cities such as Des Moines, SeaTac, and Burien have declined to engage on the issue, leaving residents frustrated and skeptical that any meaningful relief is possible.
This link provides information on how the Port Of Seattle is structured and, in 53.54, the Noise Abatement section which controls the Avigation Easements. Title 53 is chock full of interesting stuff that we believe are worth study because they explain why the Port is so powerful. But when most airport ‘enthusiasts’ focus about it
2013-10-24
Ordinance No. 1583 is an environmental regulations ordinance from the City of Des Moines, Washington, that replaces and reorganizes the city's Title 16 Environmental Code. It implements state laws covering environmental policy, critical areas, floodplain management, and shoreline protection, while providing definitions and general provisions applicable across all related chapters.
1995-01-20
Washington House Bill 1293 (1995) amended state law governing how port districts can address aircraft noise impacts on nearby properties, expanding soundproofing programs and removing a prior requirement that property owners waive damages and convey easements in exchange for noise mitigation. The bill declared such damage-waiver agreements void as against public policy, meaning residents near airports like Sea-Tac could receive soundproofing benefits without giving up their legal rights. The act was designated an emergency measure, intended to take effect immediately upon passage.
1993-07-25
Washington State's Substitute House Bill 1915, signed into law on April 30, 1993, expanded the tools available to port districts for addressing aircraft noise impacts on nearby properties. The law allows ports to offer affected property owners a range of remedies, including property acquisition, transaction assistance, soundproofing programs, and mortgage insurance. A key update permits individual properties to receive benefits more than once if they experience increased or changed aircraft noise levels that would have warranted a different level of mitigation.
2019-09-17
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