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This document presents formal public comments opposing an FAA Environmental Assessment for expansion projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, arguing that the stated justification for growth is misleading because FAA safety regulations would naturally cap operations without new gates. The comments raise concerns about disproportionate air pollution health impacts on nearby residents, flawed emissions modeling dating back to the 1990s, and inadequate environmental justice and cumulative impact analyses. The author contends that adding gates and terminals is the true driver of increased flight operations, not an unavoidable surge in demand that would occur regardless of expansion.

This background section traces the history of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from its origins as a World War II military airfield to its current status as the eighth busiest U.S. airport, handling 51.8 million passengers in 2019. It covers key milestones including the airport's 1949 opening for commercial service, the controversial addition of a third runway in 2008, and the surrounding communities that have been affected by the airport's growth. The document also outlines the Port of Seattle's future expansion plans under its Sustainable Airport Master Plan, which aims to accommodate nearly 500,000 operations and 56 million passengers annually by 2027.

The Burien Airport Committee held a virtual meeting on April 21, 2020, discussing key aviation issues including a draft letter to the FAA regarding the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Environmental Impact Statement and concerns about aircraft flight patterns over Burien. The committee also reviewed updates from a March 2020 Washington, D.C. legislative visit, discussed engagement with the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), and considered inviting an FAA Community Ombudsperson to a future meeting. Draft minutes from the February 26, 2020 meeting were also presented for approval, reflecting ongoing efforts by the City of Burien to address cumulative noise and air traffic impacts from Sea-Tac Airport on surrounding communities.

In April 2020, U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Adam Smith, and Rick Larsen wrote to FAA Administrator Steve Dickson urging a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), arguing that the FAA's planned limited Environmental Assessment was inadequate. The lawmakers contended that a comprehensive cumulative impact review was necessary to properly evaluate decades of growing noise and health impacts on communities surrounding Sea-Tac Airport. They warned that proceeding with a narrower assessment risked legal challenges that could delay critical airport infrastructure projects.

This Third Amendment to a consultant contract between the City of SeaTac, the City of Burien, and Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP extends the contract term to December 31, 2021, while suspending all consultant services starting January 1, 2020, until the SeaTac Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental review documents are released for public comment. The suspension was put in place due to delays in the SEPA/NEPA environmental review process, which was not expected to conclude until late 2020 or early 2021. The amendment also acknowledges that Aviation Compatibility Consulting, LLC and ABCx2, LLC have combined, with services to be performed jointly by Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. and ABCx2, LLC.