TagStART(441)

This document is a summary of the December 11, 2019 meeting of the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), a group that facilitates cooperation between the Port of Seattle and neighboring communities on airport-related issues. Key topics included a review of 2019 accomplishments such as the Revised Runway Use Agreement and the Late Night Noise Limitation Program, an update on federal and state legislative efforts around noise insulation and airplane noise, and an FAA report concluding that an end-around taxi procedure at Sea-Tac is not feasible due to limited airfield space and safety concerns. The meeting also addressed upcoming changes to community representation and a planned delegation trip to Washington, D.C. to advocate for shared noise policy priorities.

In December 2019, the Port of Seattle and six surrounding cities (SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Tukwila, and Normandy Park) wrote to Washington's congressional delegation urging action on airplane noise and emissions around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The letter called for the FAA to release completed noise studies, fund health research on overflight impacts, and support an environmental mitigation pilot program under the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act. It also backed new legislation targeting ultrafine particle emissions, secondary noise insulation for homes, and broader alternatives to commercial air travel.

In December 2019, the Port of Seattle and six surrounding cities wrote to FAA Administrator Steve Dickson urging swift action on noise-related provisions of the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act. The letter highlights three key priorities: updating the 65 DNL noise standard, studying the health impacts of aircraft overflight noise on local communities, and establishing an environmental mitigation pilot program. The signatories also raised the possibility of allowing secondary noise insulation investments for homes where previous FAA-funded packages have failed.

The Highline Forum held its end-of-year meeting on November 20, 2019, at Des Moines Beach Park Event Center, featuring updates on airport noise mitigation from the Port of Seattle's StART program, a SR 518 Corridor Study presentation by WSDOT, and planning discussions for 2020 meeting topics. The forum, co-chaired by Commissioner Felleman, brings together regional stakeholders to address issues related to Sea-Tac Airport's impact on surrounding communities. Six bimonthly meetings were scheduled for 2020, each running from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.

This document summarizes six near-term action items developed by the Sea-Tac Airport Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) Aviation Noise Working Group as of November 2019, aimed at reducing aircraft noise for surrounding communities. The actions include a Late-Night Noise Limitation Program, a revised Runway Use Program to limit 3rd Runway use at night, a glide slope adjustment for Runway 34R, a ground noise analysis study, a Noise Abatement Departure Profiles Study, and outreach encouraging airlines to install vortex generators on older A320 aircraft. Each action identifies the responsible parties, current status, and the specific communities expected to benefit from reduced noise levels.

This document summarizes six near-term action items developed by the Sea-Tac Airport Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) Aviation Noise Working Group as of November 2019, aimed at reducing aircraft noise for surrounding communities. The actions include a Late-Night Noise Limitation Program, a revised Runway Use Program, a glide slope adjustment for Runway 34R, a ground noise analysis, a Noise Abatement Departure Profiles Study, and outreach to airlines about A320 aircraft noise fixes. Several initiatives were already underway, with the Port of Seattle working alongside the FAA, airlines, and cargo operators to implement changes targeting both close-in and farther-out affected communities.

On November 19, 2019, the Burien Airport Committee and the Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee held a joint meeting at Des Moines Beach Park Dining Hall to discuss airport-related legislative priorities and the conditions under which their cities might rejoin StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable), a regional forum addressing Sea-Tac Airport impacts. The agenda included a report from a Legislative Agenda subcommittee and discussion of steps needed before re-engaging with the roundtable process. The meeting reflects ongoing community efforts by cities neighboring Sea-Tac Airport to coordinate policy responses to aviation noise and related concerns.

In November 2019, attorney Steve Edmiston and community members Sharyn Parker and others discussed conditions for re-engaging with the StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) community advisory process, which had been suspended. Key demands included collaborative agenda-setting, mandatory advance distribution of written materials, equal time for public Q&A, annual review of the facilitator, no restrictions on topics including the airport's growth and environmental reviews, and a request that the Port of Seattle pause its SAMP (Sustainable Airport Master Plan) work pending environmental review. Sharyn Parker's written responses indicated support for re-engagement only if those conditions were met, and called for the Port to conduct a new Part 150 noise study, accelerate sound mitigation, and create a 'second-chance' insulation program for affected residents.

A November 2019 meeting of the Sea-Tac Airport Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) Aviation Noise Working Group covered three main topics: next steps for adopting a quieter aircraft departure procedure (NADP 2), updates on outreach to airlines with late-night noise violations, and highlights from a national airport noise conference held in Seattle. Key discussions included how the NADP 2 'distant procedure' could reduce noise for communities farther from the airport, conversations with carriers like EVA Air and FedEx about reducing late-night noise, and plans to develop community-friendly maps showing where noise impacts would increase, decrease, or stay the same.

The Burien Airport Committee met on October 15, 2019 to discuss whether to rejoin the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), with survey results showing mixed opinions among members. The committee also reviewed environmental review requirements under NEPA and SEPA related to the Sustainable Airport Master Plan, and discussed legislative priorities prepared by a joint subgroup with Des Moines. A follow-up meeting was scheduled for November 18, 2019 to continue discussions on StART participation, a potential EPA meeting, and the future of the Joint Airport Committee.