TagSAMP(642)

The City of Des Moines, Washington submitted formal scoping comments on behalf of Mayor Matt Pina and the Des Moines City Council regarding near-term projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The comments were transmitted via email by City Clerk Bonnie Wilkins on September 28, 2018, as part of the public scoping process for the airport's Near Term Project environmental review. This document is part of Attachment 4g, which compiles scoping comments received during the review process.

The City of SeaTac submitted formal scoping comments to the Port of Seattle in September 2018, raising concerns that the environmental review for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) was too narrowly focused on 'near term projects' and should be expanded to cover the airport's full long-term growth vision. The city also reminded the Port of binding commitments made in a 2018 Interlocal Agreement and a 2015 Letter of Understanding, including promises to assess transportation impacts, protect nearby wetlands, and mitigate effects on city streets from increased cargo truck and passenger traffic. Key issues flagged include the impact of new cargo facilities, a proposed employee parking lot near wetlands, and the need to account for public transit use by airport workers and travelers.

A Beacon Hill resident submitted scoping comments in September 2018 regarding the Sea-Tac Airport expansion, raising concerns about air quality, airplane emissions, noise impacts on children's health, traffic congestion, and environmental justice for communities of color. The commenter requested studies on health effects for nearby residents, better public outreach to non-English-speaking communities, and neighborhood noise monitoring equipment. She also expressed frustration about cost overruns on existing airport projects and the limited accessibility of the public open house held at New Holly.

In September 2018, Alaska Airlines submitted formal comments to the Port of Seattle during the scoping phase of Sea-Tac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), urging the Port to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) rather than a less rigorous Environmental Assessment (EA). The airline argued that an EIS would better withstand legal challenges, produce more meaningful public input, and ultimately be more cost-effective by reducing litigation risk. Alaska Airlines also called on the Port to broaden the range of alternatives under consideration beyond just North Terminal options, since the SAMP's stated purpose addresses airport-wide concerns.

In a September 2018 letter to the Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines urged that the environmental review of Sea-Tac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) be conducted as a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) rather than the less rigorous Environmental Assessment (EA) proposed by the Port and FAA. The airline argued that an EIS would provide stronger legal protection, more meaningful public input, and ultimately prove more cost-effective by reducing litigation risk. Alaska Airlines also pushed back on the Port's plan to focus expansion alternatives solely on a North Terminal, advocating instead for serious consideration of extending and modifying existing Main Terminal concourses as a viable alternative.

The Federal Way City Council Regular Meeting agenda from September 18, 2018 includes a notable item under Council Business: authorization to submit a public comment regarding Environmental Review Scoping for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), found on page 41 of the agenda packet. The meeting also covers consent agenda items, proclamations, and committee reports, but the SAMP comment authorization represents the council's formal engagement with airport-related environmental policy affecting the Sea-Tac area. This item reflects the city's opportunity to weigh in on potential noise and land-use impacts associated with the airport's long-term expansion plans.

The Burien Airport Committee met on September 18, 2018 to discuss ongoing efforts to address noise and environmental impacts from Sea-Tac Airport, including a legal challenge to the FAA's approval of a 250-degree flight heading over Burien and community engagement in the airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental review process. The agenda also covered coordination with neighboring cities, a Washington State airport impacts study, and updates on sound insulation programs. Draft minutes from the July 17, 2018 meeting were included, documenting a presentation on environmental justice concerns related to airport noise affecting minority and low-income communities.

The Burien Aviation Advisory Committee met on September 17, 2018 to discuss the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) and its environmental review process. Key topics included a poorly-received public scoping meeting at Highline College that drew over 300 attendees, and the committee's review of draft scoping comments to be submitted jointly by the cities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and SeaTac. The committee agreed to present a formal letter of scoping comments to City Council on September 27, 2018, ahead of the September 28 submission deadline.