TagSAMP(642)

Email from Sandy Hunt of Defenders of Highline Forest to Dave Kaplan proposing the Miyawaki method for tree canopy reforestation as a Highline Forum topic. Includes links to local Miyawaki forest projects and criticism of airport mitigation policies.

The cities of Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac are joining forces under a formal Interlocal Agreement to coordinate their review of and legal response to the Port of Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), which could bring significant noise and environmental impacts to surrounding communities. The agreement, considered by Des Moines City Council on November 13, 2025, allows the three cities to jointly hire environmental consultants and legal counsel to analyze and formally challenge the airport expansion's environmental review under both federal (NEPA) and state (SEPA) law. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement from the Port is expected in early 2026, with the overall process estimated to conclude by December 31, 2028.

The City of SeaTac is authorizing its City Manager to join an updated cost-sharing agreement with Burien and Des Moines to hire outside legal counsel in response to the FAA's September 2025 environmental review of the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The cities are concerned that their comments about the airport's potential negative impacts were not adequately addressed in the FAA's Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact. To fund the legal effort, SeaTac is amending its 2025–2026 budget by adding $350,000 in expenditures and $253,000 in shared revenues to its Port ILA Fund.

The cities of SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, and Normandy Park are jointly challenging the FAA's environmental review of the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), arguing that a September 2025 Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) failed to adequately address their concerns about airport expansion impacts. The SeaTac City Council is being asked to approve a budget amendment of up to $350,000, authorize an Interlocal Agreement among the four cities, and hire two law firms to advocate for airport-affected communities. The action reflects ongoing efforts by neighboring cities to ensure environmental impacts of SEA airport growth are properly evaluated under both federal (NEPA) and state (SEPA) law.

The cities of Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac have entered into a formal agreement to coordinate their review of, and potential legal challenges to, the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan, which could significantly impact surrounding communities over the next 20 years. The three cities agreed to share costs proportionally based on population, jointly hire environmental consultants and legal counsel, and issue unified comment letters during the NEPA and SEPA environmental review processes. Key provisions require unanimous agreement to file a joint appeal and a two-city majority to continue litigation at each subsequent stage.