TagStan Shepherd(17)

In July 2014, the FAA approved a final grant payment of $3,879,406 to the Port of Seattle for noise mitigation work completed at Olympic Elementary School near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The total project cost was approximately $11.36 million, funded through a combination of FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants, Airport Development Fund (ADF) contributions, and Ad Valorem Tax revenues. Port of Seattle Airport Noise Programs Manager Stan Shepherd notified the treasury department of the approved funds and requested confirmation of availability to issue full payment to the school district.

The Port of Seattle is requesting $1.9 million to replace Sea-Tac Airport's aging noise and flight-tracking monitoring system, which has been in use since 1999 and is past its useful life. The outdated equipment has caused over 110 failures in two years, major data losses, and delays in responding to community noise complaints. The new system will include updated noise monitors, analysis software, and a public-facing website to better support FAA reporting, airline compliance programs, and citizen inquiries.

The November 20, 2013 Highline Forum meeting, held at the Tukwila Community Center, included a Port of Seattle update featuring a recap of the Part 150 noise study and a review of upcoming Sea-Tac Airport capital projects, presented by Port of Seattle staff Stan Shepherd and Elizabeth Leavitt. The forum also addressed a vote on 2014 SW King County legislative positions, which included a new position related to port cooperation, and planning for the following year's meeting schedule and topics. Guidance provided to co-chairs ahead of the meeting outlined procedures for managing the legislative vote and organizing 2014 forum hosting responsibilities among member jurisdictions.

The Highline Forum held a public meeting on January 25, 2012, at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Conference Center, running from 2:30 to 4:00 pm. The agenda included a presentation on Noise Abatement Procedures by Stan Shepherd of the Port of Seattle, along with updates on community and port issues, election of a new Community Co-chair, and public comments. This draft agenda reflects the forum's ongoing role in addressing airport noise policy and community concerns related to Sea-Tac Airport operations.

The Port of Seattle held a public open house at Sea-Tac International Airport on April 9, 2011, to present feasibility-stage proposals for reducing airport noise affecting surrounding communities. Mitigation options under consideration included building a hush house to muffle engine run-ups, installing air conditioning in uninsulated single-family homes within the updated 65 DNL noise boundary, providing sound insulation for multi-family and mobile homes, and assisting local jurisdictions with long-term land-use planning. The Port planned to submit its recommended solutions to the FAA by the end of 2011, after which the FAA would conduct a 180-day review to determine which measures it would help fund.