TagStART(508)

The StART (Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) meeting agenda for February 26, 2020 outlines a two-hour session focused on aviation noise and environmental issues affecting communities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Key topics include updates on the Sound Insulation Program, federal policy advocacy, the Late-Night Noise Limitation Program's fourth-quarter results, and a briefing by the University of Washington on a study examining ultrafine particle pollution from aircraft. The meeting was hosted by Sea-Tac Airport Managing Director Lance Lyttle and included time for public comment.

The MOV-UP (Mobile ObserVations of Ultrafine Particles) study, conducted by the University of Washington, investigates air quality impacts from air traffic at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport by measuring concentrations of ultrafine particulate matter (UFP) in surrounding communities. The research aims to distinguish between aircraft-related and other sources of UFP pollution, while actively engaging with local governments and community groups through advisory meetings and public outreach. Funded by a Washington State budget proviso, the study has included presentations to bodies such as the Federal Way City Council and the Seattle/King County Board of Health.

The Burien Airport Committee met in January and February 2020 to address concerns related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including efforts to push the FAA to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) rather than a lesser Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan. The committee also discussed re-engagement with the StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) process, involving six cities in dialogue with the Port of Seattle, and planned a joint visit to Washington, D.C. in March 2020 to advocate for community interests on airport noise and expansion issues.

This is a summary of the February 26, 2020 StART (SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) meeting held at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, covering key topics including a federal policy advocacy trip to Washington DC, updates on aviation noise reduction efforts, and a University of Washington study on ultrafine particles near the airport. The meeting highlighted progress in the Late-Night Noise Limitation Program, with airlines such as EVA Air and FedEx Express committing to quieter aircraft or fleet changes to reduce nighttime noise exceedances. Additional discussions covered an accelerated sound insulation program for nearby residences and places of worship, as well as ongoing ground noise analysis to identify and mitigate noise sources around the airfield.

The February 26, 2020 StART (SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) meeting brought together Port of Seattle officials, airline representatives, and neighboring community members to discuss airport noise concerns. Key topics included a planned advocacy trip to Washington DC, updates on the Late-Night Noise Limitation Program showing EVA Air, FedEx Express, and China Airlines Cargo as top noise violators, and a University of Washington study on ultrafine particle pollution near the airport. Airlines were encouraged to reduce noise impacts, with EVA Air committing to quieter aircraft and FedEx Express planning to retire its louder MD-11 fleet.

The Port of Seattle's Late Night Noise Limitation Program monitors aircraft noise between midnight and 5:00 a.m. at four locations around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, with departure thresholds of 91 dB and arrival thresholds ranging from 82 to 89 dB depending on the monitor. In the fourth quarter results presented to the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table on February 26, 2020, twelve airlines were found to have exceeded noise thresholds, with cargo carriers showing the highest exceedance rates—Cargolux at 89%, China Airlines Cargo at 79%, and EVA Air at 64%. The program includes outreach to airlines with exceedances and tracks feedback and any positive outcomes aimed at reducing late-night noise impacts on surrounding communities.

This document summarizes a February 10, 2020 meeting of the StART Aviation Noise Working Group, which advises the Port of Seattle on noise issues around Sea-Tac Airport. Topics covered include an update on a Ground Noise Analysis study, additional findings from a Noise Abatement Departure Profiles study recommending airlines adopt the quieter 'Distant NADP' flight procedure, and 4th-quarter results from the Late-Night Noise Limitation Program, which identified EVA Air, FedEx Express, and China Airlines Cargo as the top noise threshold violators. Notably, EVA Air agreed to switch one of its nightly Boeing 777 flights to a quieter Boeing 787 starting May 2020 in response to community concerns.

The Highline Forum held its January 22, 2020 meeting at SeaTac City Hall, focusing on the 2020 Legislative Session and shared policy agendas among local governments and the Port of Seattle. Key agenda items included updates from the City of SeaTac, discussions of state legislative priorities, and StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) updates related to airport noise and community impacts. The document also outlines six scheduled 2020 meeting dates at rotating venues including Highline College, the Port of Seattle's International Conference Center, and the City of Burien City Hall.

This January 2020 update from the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) Noise Working Group covers three main areas: a Ground Noise Study collecting 2019 operations data from airlines, an Aircraft Departure Profiles Analysis showing that the 'distant departure' procedure reduces noise the most for nearby communities, and a Late Night Noise Limitation Program identifying EVA Air, FedEx Express, and China Airlines Cargo as the carriers with the most noise violations in Q4. The study was scheduled to produce a final report with mitigation options by October/November 2020. The update was presented at the Highline Forum on January 22, 2020.