TagSea-Tac Airport(2023)

Seatac Airport neighbor Stuart Jenner submitted public comments in December 2024 criticizing the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), arguing that citizens were given inadequate time to review over 4,000 pages of documents and that an Environmental Impact Statement—not merely an Environmental Assessment—is needed to properly evaluate the plan's effects on nearby residents. Jenner raises concerns about opaque computer models used to claim a nearly 50% increase in passenger traffic would have no environmental impact, shifting baseline comparisons that ignore past promises made during the third runway approval, and the absence of project cost information. He calls on Port Commissioners and the FAA to extend the public comment period and subject the plan to greater independent scrutiny.

This document presents formal public comments opposing an FAA Environmental Assessment for expansion projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The author argues that the stated justification for expansion is misleading, contending that airport growth would not automatically occur without new gates and terminals since FAA safety rules already cap the number of aircraft operations. Additional concerns raised include disproportionate health burdens on nearby communities, unreliable air pollution modeling, inadequate environmental justice analysis, and failure to properly assess cumulative public health and climate impacts.

The cities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and SeaTac are renewing a cooperative agreement to jointly review and respond to the Port of Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), which outlines future airport growth that could significantly impact neighboring communities. The new Interlocal Agreement (ILA), approved by Des Moines City Council in December 2024, extends collaboration through December 31, 2027, allowing the cities to share consultants and coordinate formal comments on the airport's environmental review process under NEPA and SEPA. Des Moines has committed up to $74,170 toward consultant services, with each city's share determined by relative population.