TagSAMP(642)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) in September 2025 for near-term construction and development projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, prepared on behalf of the Port of Seattle. The Final EA was updated from an earlier Draft EA to reflect public and agency comments, correct errors, and remove sections on climate change, environmental justice, and cumulative impacts following changes to federal executive orders, regulations, and a 2025 Supreme Court ruling. These regulatory shifts meant the FAA was no longer required to analyze how the proposed projects might affect vulnerable communities or contribute to broader environmental trends.

In September 2025, the City of SeaTac, Washington engaged the law firm Leech Tishman Nelson Hardiman to provide legal counsel regarding the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), specifically in response to an anticipated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Record of Decision (ROD). The firm's work includes preparing legal analysis, submitting comments, and filing a Petition for Review in either the Ninth Circuit or D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the FAA's environmental findings once published in late 2025. The engagement is capped at $300,000 with an initial $10,000 retainer, and billing rates range from $300–$400 per hour for associates to $540 per hour for lead attorney Steven M. Taber.

FAA’s Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The document provides final agency determinations and approvals for federal actions necessary to implement 31 near-term improvement projects addressing efficiency, safety, and passenger processing needs at SEA.

Executive summary of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport prepared by Leigh Fisher and associates for the Port of Seattle. The document outlines forecasts, requirements, and alternatives for airport development.

A May 2015 presentation to the Washington State Transportation Commission outlines Sea-Tac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), highlighting the airport's rapid growth—37.5 million passengers in 2014, making it the fastest-growing large hub airport in the U.S. The plan addresses future expansion projects including the NorthStar Alaska Hub and a new International Arrivals Facility. It also details the airport's environmental stewardship efforts, such as reducing air emissions through electric ground equipment, renewable natural gas buses, LED lighting upgrades, and earning North America's first airport Carbon Accreditation Certification.

This Airport Key Map, published by the Port of Seattle on June 15, 2014, provides a general reference overview of property zones surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It identifies distinct areas including the Airfield, Terminal, Commercial, South of Airfield, South of 200th, and North of Airfield zones, and distinguishes between Port of Seattle property, lease boundaries, non-Port property, land available for redevelopment, and the proposed SR 509 corridor. The aerial photo, taken in Spring 2012, is intended for general reference only and is not approved for navigation use.