TagSAMP(650)

The Port of Seattle held a public meeting on December 3, 2024 in Des Moines, WA to present highlights from the Environmental Assessment (EA) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). The SAMP outlines a wide range of near-term construction and expansion projects across the airport, including airside, landside, terminal, cargo, and support facilities. The meeting provided an opportunity for community members to learn about the plan's environmental findings and submit public comments.

The U.S. EPA reviewed the Federal Aviation Administration's draft environmental assessment for Sea-Tac Airport's near-term expansion projects, which include a new second terminal, cargo facilities, and other infrastructure planned through 2032. The EPA raised concerns about disproportionate health and environmental impacts on surrounding communities, noting that air quality indicators such as diesel particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide already exceed the 80th state percentile in the project area. The agency recommends that the final assessment more thoroughly address environmental justice, air quality, climate change, and wetlands impacts on these overburdened neighborhoods.

The Highline Forum meeting on November 20, 2024, hosted by the City of SeaTac, covered two main themes: childcare initiatives in the Highline area and an update on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Environmental Assessment. Representatives from SeaTac, Highline Public Schools, the City of Burien, and Highline College participated in the childcare discussion, while Port of Seattle staff presented on the SAMP and StART programs. The document also includes the schedule of six bimonthly Highline Forum meetings planned for 2025, running from January through November.

In a November 2024 email exchange, Normandy Park Mayor Eric Zimmerman acknowledges frustration with the Sea-Tac Airport Master Plan (SAMP) process, explaining that the Port of Seattle Commission holds the real power over airport growth but that pro-growth cities like Seattle and Bellevue dominate that political landscape. He cautions against taking an activist stance toward the Port, warning that doing so could jeopardize the city's participation in the StART engagement process and cost Normandy Park hard-won mitigation benefits, such as an overnight runway use agreement that shifted late-night landings away from the third runway. The email was prompted by a journalist named Stuart Jenner, who reported writing a story about SAMP meetings held on November 13 and 14, 2024.