TagSalmon(34)

In May 2001, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a biological opinion concluding that planned construction and expansion projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — including a new 8,500-foot runway and other facility upgrades — were not likely to adversely affect threatened Puget Sound chinook salmon or their designated critical habitat. The review, requested by the FAA under the Endangered Species Act, examined potential impacts to nearby waterways such as Miller, Des Moines, and Gilliam creeks, as well as Essential Fish Habitat for coastal and groundfish species. NMFS concurred with the airport's own Biological Assessment, determining the projects could proceed with the mitigation measures proposed.

Letter dated May 31, 2001 from NMFS Northwest Region (Seattle, WA) to Lowell H. Johnson, FAA Airport Division Manager, concurring with the ‘may affect, not likely to adversely affect’ determination for threatened Puget Sound chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and designated critical habitat under ESA Section 7(a)(2) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA) Master Plan Update Improvements

Letter dated May 31, 2001 from NMFS Northwest Region to FAA Airport Division Manager Lowell H. Johnson (NMFS No. WSB-00-318) concurring with the ‘may affect, not likely to adversely affect’ determination for threatened Puget Sound chinook salmon (Onchorhynchus tshawytscha) and designated critical habitat under ESA Section 7(a)(2), and finding STIA projects ‘not likely to adversely

Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Assessment prepared by Parametrix, Inc. for the Federal Aviation Administration and Port Of Seattle for Master Plan Update Improvements at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA), March 2001. Document AR049873 (project 556-2912-001) evaluates Pacific Coast salmon EFH — Chinook, Coho, and Puget Sound Pink salmon — in Miller Creek Basin, Des Moines Creek

A fisheries biologist hired by the Airport Communities Coalition argues that the Port of Seattle has not provided sufficient scientific evidence to justify a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit for its proposed third runway project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The report concludes that the Port's plans would harm wetlands, streams, and fish populations—including federally threatened Chinook salmon—in the Miller Creek, Walker Creek, and Des Moines Creek watersheds through contaminated fill, toxic stormwater runoff, and the rerouting of Miller Creek. The biologist urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to require additional environmental studies and water quality modeling before any permit decision is made.

A fisheries biologist writing on behalf of the Airport Communities Coalition argues that the Port of Seattle has not provided sufficient scientific evidence to justify a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit for its proposed third runway expansion at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The letter contends that the project would harm local streams (Miller Creek, Walker Creek, and Des Moines Creek) and their fish populations — including federally threatened Chinook salmon — through stream relocation, contaminated fill materials, and toxic stormwater runoff containing copper, zinc, and de-icing chemicals. The author concludes that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lacks an adequate scientific basis to approve the permit without additional environmental study and mitigation measures.

This December 2000 report assesses the impact of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Master Plan Update improvements on Pacific Coast salmon Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) in nearby waterways, including Miller Creek, Des Moines Creek, and the Green River Basin. Prepared by Parametrix, Inc. for the Federal Aviation Administration and the Port of Seattle, it evaluates water quality, aquatic habitat, and hydrological effects of airport expansion on local salmon species such as Chinook, Coho, and Pink salmon. The report also outlines conservation and mitigation measures proposed to offset adverse effects on salmon habitat in the airport's surrounding watersheds.

Email dated August 10, 2000 from Kate Rhoads to Kelly Whiting transmitting a Word document (POS-Cu.doc) containing technical comments on copper (Cu) levels in stormwater runoff from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA) runways. AR017903-017904. Comments address total recoverable (TR) copper median concentration of 37 ug/l versus the dissolved fraction surface water acute toxicity standard of 4

Letter dated June 15, 2000 from Lowell H. Johnson, Manager of FAA Northwest Mountain Region Airports Division, to Steve Landino, Branch Chief of the Washington State Branch of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), transmitting the Final Biological Assessment (FBA) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA) development actions under ESA section 7 consultation. The FBA evaluates

This June 2000 Biological Assessment, prepared by Parametrix, Inc. for the Federal Aviation Administration and Port of Seattle, evaluates the potential environmental impacts of proposed Master Plan Update Improvements at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on federally listed species. The report examines effects on aquatic resources including Chinook salmon, bull trout, and their critical habitats within nearby waterways such as Miller Creek, Des Moines Creek, and the Green River. It was prepared to support Section 7 consultation under the Endangered Species Act with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service.