TagSea-Tac Airport(794)

This June 2020 StART Aviation Noise Working Group update outlines Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's near-term action plan to reduce aircraft noise impacts on surrounding communities. Key initiatives include a voluntary Late-Night Noise Limitation Program, a revised Runway Use Program to limit third-runway use at night, and a glideslope adjustment for Runway 34R to reduce approach noise. Additional measures include ground noise analysis, a Noise Abatement Departure Profiles Study, and encouraging airlines to install vortex generators on older A320 aircraft to lessen descent noise.

In November 2018, the Port of Seattle Commission set aside $10 million over five years (2019–2023) to benefit near-airport communities in South King County, with funds intended to address airport noise and support environmental health and sustainability projects. In June 2019, the Commission adopted eight guiding principles to govern the fund, emphasizing community input, equity, innovation, and matching funds where possible. This May 2020 presentation to the Highline Forum provided an update on the fund's progress and priorities.

This May 2020 update from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport outlines the status of its noise abatement and mitigation programs. Citizen noise complaints were averaging 400 per day, while the Noise Abatement Corridor saw 98% compliance and the Late Night Noise Limitation Program recorded an average of 11 exceedances per night in Q1 2020. COVID-19 delayed sound insulation construction projects for single-family homes and condominiums, pushing estimated start dates into 2021.

This document contains correspondence related to Sea-Tac Airport noise and flight operations concerns, including a legal analysis explaining why capping flights would face significant obstacles under the U.S. Commerce Clause and FAA regulations, along with alternative approaches such as Part 161 Studies and state emissions legislation. It also includes a letter from the cities of Burien and Des Moines outlining conditions for rejoining the Sea-Tac Airport Round Table (StART), demanding meeting recordings, reversal of a $10 million design expenditure made without proper environmental review, and responses to outstanding written concerns that had gone unanswered by the Port of Seattle.

This document is an invoice and monthly status report from ABCx2, LLC, a consulting firm based in Senoia, Georgia, billing the County of Arlington, Virginia $10,050.00 for consulting services rendered in April 2020. The work involved nine consultants logging a total of 34.5 hours across tasks such as Smartsheet setup, social media and web strategy planning, and setting up a DCA airspace model in collaboration with a company called Vianair. Note that this document pertains to Arlington County aviation-related consulting and does not appear to be directly related to Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

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.

The Port of Seattle Commission adopted Resolution No. 3771 in March 2020 to authorize the acquisition of property easements and access rights around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of the 2019 Flight Corridor Safety Program. The program aims to remove trees and other obstructions that interfere with aircraft landing and takeoff corridors, in compliance with FAA requirements and state law. The Port is directed to first pursue voluntary negotiations with affected property owners, but is authorized to use eminent domain condemnation proceedings if those negotiations fail.

In February 2020, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted Motion 2020-04, directing the Executive Director to accelerate the sound insulation program at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and complete it no later than 2026. The motion calls for appropriate staffing, funding, and contracting to deliver the program on time, with regular progress updates to the Commission's Aviation Committee. The Port is also directed to coordinate with other public agencies to ensure the program complements, rather than duplicates, existing efforts related to low-income housing and energy upgrades.