TagSEPA(233)

The StART (SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) meeting scheduled for April 29, 2026 focuses on updates to the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near-Term Projects and their environmental review process, including an explanation of how the state-level SEPA Environmental Impact Statement differs from the federal NEPA Environmental Assessment. The agenda includes a presentation by Port of Seattle staff, a community roundtable update, and an open public comment period. StART serves as a forum for cooperation between the Port of Seattle and communities neighboring Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The Port of Seattle is advancing a set of Near-Term Projects under its Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, covering infrastructure improvements such as new gates, taxiway extensions, runway blast pads, and cargo facilities. The plan is subject to both federal (NEPA) and state (SEPA) environmental review, with a Draft Environmental Impact Statement being prepared to assess potential impacts. Public and regulatory next steps include finalizing the EIS and communicating outcomes to stakeholders and surrounding communities.

Port Of Seattle Commission presentation (Item 8j supp) dated March 24, 2026 requesting $1,000,000 additional contract authorization for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near-Term Projects Environmental Review. Total authorizations including this request reach $9,750,000, following previous authorizations of $3,000,000 (11/10/2015), $3,400,000 (2/25/2021), and $2,350,000 (6/27/2023). Budget increase justified by enhanced outreach and engagement in

The Des Moines, WA City Council is reviewing a 2026 workplan for its Airport Advisory Committee, an advisory body created in June 2025 to address issues related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The workplan focuses primarily on the airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) and its environmental review process, with the committee advocating for expanded air quality monitoring, a more comprehensive traffic impact analysis, and stronger noise mitigation measures for affected residents. The committee also plans to conduct a community survey in mid-2026 to gauge public awareness of the airport's projected operational growth and its impacts on the Des Moines community.

The cities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and SeaTac have entered into a formal interlocal agreement to coordinate their review of, and potential legal challenges to, the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan, which could bring significant growth and environmental impacts to their communities over the next 20 years. Under the agreement, the four cities will jointly hire environmental consultants and legal counsel, share costs proportionally based on population, and issue unified comment letters during the NEPA and SEPA review processes. The City of SeaTac is designated as the lead administrator for contracts and finances, while all four cities must unanimously agree before filing any joint legal appeal.

Airport Advisory Committee meeting agenda for December 8, 2025, including items on SAMP updates, StART meeting updates, complaints/communications, and committee work plan. Responses on noise complaint from Laurel Hughes. Also includes minutes from the November 10, 2025 meeting with discussion of Q&A with Steve Edmiston and various airport-related updates.

This document outlines the federal (NEPA) and state (SEPA) environmental review processes related to Sea-Tac Airport, tracing key milestones from initial scoping in 2018 through the issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in September 2025 and a subsequent court appeal filed in November 2025. The NEPA process involved public comment periods, city council presentations, and a 4-city interlocal agreement, while the SEPA process determined the project required a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), with a Draft EIS expected in Q1 2026. Together, these timelines reflect years of coordinated efforts by multiple cities to formally challenge and scrutinize the environmental impacts of airport operations and expansion.

The City of SeaTac responded to a public records request (PRR25-568) from Paula Rodriguez seeking all communications, proposals, and scoring related to the selection of legal services for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), covering both NEPA and SEPA processes from January 2024 through October 2025. The city provided 34 pages of responsive records, available on the city's website, and closed the request on December 3, 2025. Under RCW 42.56.550(6), the requester has one year from that date to seek judicial review.