TagStART(508)

The StART (SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) meeting held on February 24, 2021 via Zoom brought together Port of Seattle officials, FAA representatives, and community stakeholders to review revised operating procedures and hear results from a Neighborhood Environmental Survey on airport noise. Key agenda items included updates from the Federal Policy Working Group and the Aviation Noise Working Group, along with a period for public comment. The meeting was part of an ongoing effort to enhance cooperation between the Port of Seattle and communities surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The Burien Airport Committee held a virtual meeting on February 16, 2021, to discuss topics including the committee's purpose, chair selection for 2021, and updates on the SeaTac Airport Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), a body focused on airport noise and community impact issues. The agenda also covered federal airport-related legislation, recruitment of new committee members, and selection of StART representatives, following the December 2020 resignations of several committee members amid disagreements over the committee's direction. Draft minutes from the December 15, 2020 meeting were presented for approval, documenting a committee vote to send a letter to the Port of Seattle regarding a 250-degree flight turn affecting Burien neighborhoods.

The StART Aviation Noise Working Group met on February 8, 2021, to review updated operating procedures, discuss late-night noise issues driven by increased cargo flights during COVID-19, and examine fleet changes trending toward quieter aircraft at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Key findings included FedEx leading in late-night noise exceedances, a significant drop in Third Runway use during late-night hours, and an FAA survey showing 66% of residents near airports are highly annoyed by aviation noise. Future topics under consideration include incentives or penalties for carriers operating late at night and further studies on ultrafine particulates and public health impacts.

The StART Federal Policy Working Group met on February 1, 2021, to discuss opportunities under the Biden administration to advance the group's federal aviation policy priorities, including sustainability and noise-related issues near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Presenter Eric Schinfeld of the Port of Seattle outlined three mechanisms for achieving policy goals: executive action, legislation, and budget reconciliation, highlighting the COVID relief and Build Back Better packages as key vehicles. The group also identified target congressional relationships to develop, including outreach to Senator Cantwell, Representative Larsen, Eastern Washington members of Congress, and peer aviation communities in Boston and the Bay Area.

The 2020 StART Annual Report documents the work of the SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table, a group that fosters cooperation between the Port of Seattle and communities surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The report covers 2020 meeting outcomes, accomplishments, and the activities of two working groups focused on aviation noise and federal policy, while also addressing how COVID-19 impacted operations. It concludes with recommendations for enhanced community engagement and priorities heading into 2021.

The Highline Forum held a virtual meeting on January 27, 2021 via MS Teams to discuss 2021 state legislative agendas, forum operational issues including Community Co-Chair selection, and a StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) update presented by Port of Seattle Aviation Director Lance Lyttle. Due to the Governor's Stay at Home Order, public comments were accepted by email or via MS Teams link. The forum was scheduled to meet six times throughout 2021, with the next meeting set for March 24, 2021, focused on the 2020 StART Annual Report.

The StART (SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) 2021 Priorities Survey was designed to gather input from community representatives about the most important topics to address in the coming year. Participants were asked to check all topics of interest and then narrow their selections down to their top five priorities across categories including aviation noise, air quality and health impacts, future of aviation, and federal policy. Key topics on the survey included aircraft noise reduction strategies, ultra-fine particle studies, NextGen implementation, and proposed federal legislation aimed at protecting airport communities from noise and emissions.

The SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) is a forum established by the Port of Seattle in early 2018 to facilitate information sharing between the airport and surrounding communities on issues related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Developed in consultation with Highline Forum member cities, StART also involves Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and the FAA. This 2021 update, presented by Port of Seattle staff, recaps the group's meetings and ongoing efforts to address airport community concerns.

The Burien Airport Committee held a virtual meeting on December 15, 2020, to address several issues related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including finalizing a letter to the Port of Seattle regarding a controversial 250-degree flight turn, discussing improvements to the SeaTac Airport Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), and reviewing a letter concerning the Port's COVID-19 response. The committee also reviewed draft minutes from its November 17, 2020 meeting, during which members discussed adding more community representatives from areas such as Beacon Hill, Shoreline, and Vashon to improve StART's reach. All meetings were conducted remotely via Zoom in compliance with Governor Inslee's COVID-19 public gathering restrictions.

The SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) held a video conference meeting on December 9, 2020, focused on reviewing the Federal Policy Working Group's recent discussions and planning priorities for 2021. Members from the Port of Seattle, six neighboring communities (SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Tukwila, and Federal Way), Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, and the FAA reflected on StART's accomplishments and shared input on strengthening community relationships. The group's comments and survey results were submitted to the StART Steering Committee to shape the organization's 2021 agenda, with the next public meeting scheduled for February 24, 2021.