TagSEPA(293)

Washington Senate Bill 5990, introduced in the 2024 legislative session, aims to reduce environmental health disparities by requiring detailed impact assessments before approving projects in communities already burdened by pollution. The bill defines key terms such as 'disproportionate impact' and 'environmental justice impact statement,' and establishes a framework for evaluating whether new or expanded projects would worsen cumulative health and environmental stressors in overburdened communities. Note: this bill addresses broad environmental justice policy statewide and does not specifically address Sea-Tac Airport noise or aviation-related impacts.

This technical report, prepared by Landrum & Brown for the Port of Seattle in January 2024, assesses hazardous materials, solid waste, and pollution prevention concerns related to near-term construction projects under the Sustainable Airport Master Plan at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It includes investigations of contaminated fuel farm sites, environmental baseline studies, and regulated building materials surveys (such as asbestos and lead) for several airport facilities slated for redevelopment. The report compiles findings and regulatory correspondence from Washington State Department of Ecology to guide safe handling and cleanup of hazardous materials during planned airport improvements.

The Des Moines, WA City Council considered a staff recommendation to transfer review of the Des Moines Creek Business Park West Master Plan (LUA2022-0044) from the Council to the city's Hearing Examiner. The proposed 30-acre development near South 216th Street would include a 402,380-square-foot industrial building and requires complex environmental review, including a variance to fill ravine sidewalls and potentially realign a stream. Due to the technical complexity of the land use and environmental issues involved, staff and the City Attorney recommended consolidating the Master Plan review with the required variance before the Hearing Examiner.

This technical memorandum, prepared by Leigh Fisher for the Port of Seattle in September 2023, presents an updated aviation activity forecast for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It includes Constrained Operating Growth Scenarios (COGS), FAA approval of the forecast update, and airside modeling documentation used to support environmental review. The forecast and operational assumptions outlined in this document serve as the foundation for planning future airport capacity and assessing potential noise and environmental impacts.

This appendix from the Puget Sound Regional Council's long-range transportation plan, Destination 2030, outlines the process for amending the plan and making major capacity investment decisions. It explains that the plan must be reviewed every three years under federal law and every two years under Washington State law, with air quality conformity statements required when amendments are made. The document also provides guidance on evaluating transportation corridor investments, assessing benefits and costs, and classifying projects as either 'Candidate' or 'Approved' for implementation.