TagSEPA(233)

In September 2018, the cities of SeaTac, Burien, Normandy Park, and Des Moines submitted joint scoping comments urging the Port of Seattle to broaden its environmental review of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) beyond just near-term construction projects. The cities argued that cumulative impacts — including a projected 60% increase in aircraft operations and 75% rise in passengers by 2034 — require a full analysis of noise, air quality, and traffic effects on nearby communities. They also called for a baseline period starting in 2012, rather than 2018, to capture the significant growth and airspace changes that have already occurred without adequate environmental review.

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.

In September 2018, the cities of SeaTac, Burien, Normandy Park, and Des Moines jointly wrote to the Port of Seattle urging a broader environmental review of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The cities expressed concern that limiting the review to only near-term construction projects would ignore the cumulative noise, air quality, and traffic impacts already burdening their communities. They called on the Port to assess impacts from 2012 onward, include the full long-term SAMP in the environmental analysis, and consider alternative airport sites as part of the review.

The Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee met on August 13, 2018 to discuss the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental scoping process, including a public scoping meeting scheduled for September 10, 2018 at Highline College. Committee members, city officials, and residents raised concerns about airport noise, air and water pollution, and the scope of the environmental review, which will cover both state (SEPA) and federal (NEPA) requirements. The committee encouraged broad community participation in the upcoming scoping meeting and discussed ensuring that airport expansion since 2012 be included in the review.

The Port of Seattle is conducting an environmental review of near-term construction projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) planned through 2027, as part of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). Key planned improvements include a second terminal, a centralized maintenance campus, off-airport cargo facilities, and roadway and fueling expansions to accommodate up to 477,000 annual flights and 56 million passengers. A full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under Washington State's SEPA, as well as a federal Environmental Assessment under NEPA led by the FAA, are being prepared to evaluate potential environmental impacts.

This 2018 technical memorandum, prepared by Leigh Fisher for the Port of Seattle, outlines near-term construction projects, financial feasibility, and long-term vision for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of its Sustainable Airport Master Plan. It covers major airside, terminal, cargo, and landside projects, along with an assessment of airfield operational feasibility and recommended actions following the plan's completion. While focused primarily on facilities and finance, the document provides context for infrastructure decisions that may affect airport operations and surrounding communities.

This 2018 technical memorandum outlines a Sustainability Planning and Management Strategy for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, developed by Leigh Fisher and Synergy Consultants for the Port of Seattle. It establishes sustainability goals, objectives, and metrics across financial, environmental, and social focus areas, drawing on FAA guidance and Port of Seattle commitments. The document also addresses climate change risks to airport facilities and provides a framework for integrating sustainability into near-term airport development decisions.

This 2018 technical memorandum prepared by Leigh Fisher for the Port of Seattle provides an environmental overview of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of its Sustainable Airport Master Plan. It examines existing environmental conditions across topics such as air quality, noise, water resources, biological resources, and hazardous materials, then assesses how the airport's near-term construction and improvement projects could affect those resources. The document is intended to guide planners in understanding potential environmental impacts — including noise and compatible land use — before major airport development decisions are finalized.

In a March 2018 letter to the Puget Sound Regional Council, the City of Des Moines, Washington, expressed concerns about the disproportionate noise, air quality, and health impacts that SeaTac Airport's rapid growth places on nearby residents. The city urged that Vision 2050's environmental review include a serious evaluation of siting a second major commercial airport in western Washington to relieve capacity pressure on SeaTac. It also called for multi-modal transportation solutions and thorough analysis of jet fuel emissions and other environmental impacts as part of regional aviation planning.

Four cities near Sea-Tac Airport — Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and SeaTac — entered into a formal interlocal agreement in 2018 to coordinate their review of the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), a 20-year airport growth proposal with potential significant noise and environmental impacts on surrounding communities. The agreement establishes a shared process for hiring consultants, pooling funding, and submitting unified comment letters during the NEPA and SEPA environmental review processes. It covers the period from March 2018 through December 2020 and is governed by Washington State's Interlocal Cooperation Act (RCW 39.34).