TagStART(441)

In a June 2019 letter, Sea-Tac Airport Managing Director Lance Lyttle invited Federal Express to participate in the Late Night Noise Limitation Program, a new initiative designed to reduce aircraft noise between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. The program monitors noise levels using four airport noise monitors, with thresholds set at 91 decibels for departing aircraft and 82–89 decibels for arriving aircraft, and publicly reports quarterly data on airlines that exceed these limits. Airlines are also encouraged to reduce late-night operations, switch to quieter aircraft, or reschedule flights, with noise exceedances factored into Sea-Tac's annual Fly Quiet Awards scoring.

This document summarizes a June 10, 2019 meeting of the StART Aviation Noise Working Group, which advises the Port of Seattle on reducing aircraft noise near Sea-Tac Airport. Key topics included updates on the Late Night Noise Limitation Program, a review of the Revised Runway Use Agreement aimed at limiting third-runway use during late-night hours, and a presentation on an upcoming analysis of Noise Abatement Departure Procedures to evaluate whether changing how airlines climb after takeoff could reduce noise impacts on surrounding communities. Representatives from Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines both expressed willingness to collaborate on improving departure procedures.

In a May 2019 email, community advocate Sheila Brush shares meeting notes with colleagues outlining key arguments for why Sea-Tac Airport's Part 150 noise compatibility study may be out of compliance, including concerns about lack of transparency in the public scoping process and the unstudied noise impacts of a third runway. The notes also raise questions about whether the Port's plan to fold portions of the Part 150 study into the SAMP and SEPA/EIS processes is appropriate, and whether the EPA's lack of sign-off on the previous study is relevant. Brush expresses gratitude to Sharyn Parker for taking on the effort to formally request a compliance assessment from the FAA.

The Highline Forum held a meeting on May 22, 2019, at SeaTac City Hall, focusing on a South King County Fund Update and a StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) progress report presented by Port of Seattle officials. The agenda included public comments, a host city update from SeaTac, and a discussion of emerging issues related to airport noise and community impacts. Upcoming 2019 meetings were scheduled for July 31 at Highline College, September 25 in Tukwila, and November 20 in Des Moines.

The Burien Airport Committee met on May 21, 2019 to discuss several airport-related issues, including updates on the Sea-Tac Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental review process, the formation of a coalition of local elected officials to address airport concerns, and research into noise mitigation programs such as the Sound Insulation Program. The committee also reviewed a Federal Way letter to University of Washington professors regarding a study on ultrafine particle pollution from aircraft, and discussed Burien's ongoing participation in the Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable (StART). Draft minutes from the April 16, 2019 meeting reflect earlier discussions on flight curfews, landing fee structures, and airport governance as potential tools for reducing noise impacts on surrounding communities.

The Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) Aviation Noise Working Group outlined five near-term action items in 2019 aimed at reducing aircraft noise for communities surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. These actions include a Late Night Noise Limitation Program to discourage loud flights between midnight and 5 AM, revisions to the Runway Use Plan to limit 3rd Runway use at night, raising the glideslope on Runway 34R to reduce approach noise, a comprehensive ground noise analysis, and a study of 'distant' noise abatement departure profiles. The Port of Seattle, FAA, airlines, and cargo operators share responsibility for implementing these measures, with most initiatives targeted for mid-to-late 2019 completion.

This document summarizes a May 13, 2019 meeting of the Sea-Tac Airport Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) Aviation Noise Working Group, where representatives from neighboring communities, airlines, and the Port of Seattle discussed FAA community engagement staffing updates, a revised runway use agreement, and a new Late Night Noise Limitation Program. The FAA briefed attendees on eight newly created Community Engagement Officer positions designed to improve public communication around aviation noise concerns. The group also reviewed scoring mechanics for the Fly Quiet Program, which will begin publicly ranking all airlines on noise performance, and discussed plans to analyze noise abatement departure procedures to reduce community noise impacts.

This document summarizes a May 6, 2019 meeting of the StART (Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) Federal Policy Working Group, where community members, Port of Seattle staff, and congressional staffers discussed federal legislation aimed at reducing aircraft noise and pollution near Sea-Tac Airport. Key topics included the status of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus, proposed bills such as the Air Traffic Noise and Pollution Expert Consensus Act, and potential new policies like changing the 65 DNL noise contour and giving airports more local control over facility charges. The group agreed on next steps including drafting new legislation ideas and inviting a consultant to a follow-up meeting tentatively scheduled for June 4, 2019.

The Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) met on April 24, 2019 to discuss ongoing efforts to reduce aviation noise impacts on surrounding communities, including updates on the Revised Runway Use Agreement, a Late Night Noise Limitation Program, and plans to hire consultants for noise assessments. The meeting also featured a presentation on airspace and flight paths, covering how topography, aircraft mix, and nearby airports affect flight routes. Participants reviewed StART's five key priorities for 2019: Aviation Noise, Air Quality/Health Impacts, Future of Aviation/Mobility, Federal Policy, and Short and Mid-Term Noise Relief.