TagStART(441)

The StART (Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) meeting held on April 24, 2019, brought together Port of Seattle representatives and community stakeholders to review aviation noise and federal policy working group updates, and receive a briefing on the Late Night Noise Limitation Program. The meeting also featured a presentation on airspace and flight paths by Port of Seattle and FAA representatives, followed by a discussion of StART's 2019 priorities and a public comment period. The group's next meeting was scheduled for June 26, 2019, at the Sea-Tac International Airport Conference Center.

The April 24, 2019 StART meeting brought together community representatives, Port of Seattle staff, airlines, and FAA officials to discuss ongoing efforts to reduce aircraft noise around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Key updates included progress on a Revised Runway Use Agreement, plans to hire consultants to assess noise abatement procedures and airfield noise sources, and an overview of the Late Night Noise Limitation Program, which recognized Southwest, Jazz (Air Canada Express), and Spirit Airlines as top 'Fly Quiet' performers. The group also reviewed the work of a Federal Policy Working Group focused on identifying legislative priorities related to aviation noise under the FAA Reauthorization Act.

The StART (Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) 2019 Priorities document outlines key focus areas identified by community members and stakeholders at a February 2019 meeting, including aviation noise, air quality and health impacts, the future of aviation, federal policy, and short- and mid-term noise relief. Noise-related priorities include understanding how noise metrics like DNL and SEL are calculated, reviewing noise reduction practices at other airports, and exploring pilot procedures that could reduce both noise and air pollution. The document reflects StART's mission to foster cooperation between the Port of Seattle and the communities surrounding Sea-Tac Airport.

The StART Aviation Noise Working Group met on April 8, 2019 to discuss ongoing efforts to reduce noise impacts on communities surrounding Sea-Tac Airport. Key topics included updates on a Late Night Noise Limitation Program targeting operations between 12am–5am, a technical analysis of Noise Abatement Departure Profiles to evaluate potential noise tradeoffs, and a proposed Airfield Noise Assessment to identify ground-level noise sources and possible reduction measures. The group also reviewed outreach efforts to airlines and discussed next steps for finalizing a Runway Use Agreement with the FAA.

A April 1, 2019 meeting of the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) Federal Policy Working Group brought together community members, congressional staff, and Port of Seattle representatives to review noise-related provisions of the FAA Reauthorization Bill, which funds the FAA through 2023. Consultant Mary Ellen Eagan provided an overview of key noise provisions, including updates to noise exposure maps, community noise concerns, and a new grant program for environmental mitigation, while noting that the FAA is unlikely to meet many of the bill's implementation deadlines. Attendees discussed how communities and congressional offices could engage with the FAA to influence its prioritization of noise-related studies and regulatory changes affecting Sea-Tac Airport.

The Highline Forum held a meeting on March 27, 2019, at Federal Way City Hall, focused on the StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) First-Year Report and a SAMP (Sustainable Airport Master Plan) Update, with presentations from Port of Seattle representatives and local officials. The forum serves as a regional body addressing airport-related concerns for communities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including Federal Way, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Des Moines. Additional 2019 meetings were scheduled bimonthly through November at rotating locations across the Highline area.

The Burien Airport Committee met on March 19, 2019 to discuss concerns about Sea-Tac Airport's impact on the surrounding community, including noise pollution, safety, and health effects. The agenda included updates on federal and regional aviation policy efforts, and a review of three resolutions adopted by the Burien City Council on January 28, 2019, addressing airport growth, noise pollution, and requests for health impact monitoring. The committee also discussed priorities for 2019 and how to advance action on these resolutions at the local, state, and federal levels.

This document summarizes a March 11, 2019 meeting of the StART Aviation Noise Working Group, which brought together representatives from Sea-Tac Airport neighboring communities, the Port of Seattle, the FAA, and Delta Air Lines. Key topics included an update on the Late-Night Noise Limitation Program, which monitors and reports on the noisiest flights between midnight and 5 AM, and a presentation on Noise Abatement Departure Procedures (NADP), which offer two approaches to reducing aircraft noise either close to or farther from the airport. The group also discussed the limits of enforcement, noting that neither the FAA nor the Port can formally fine airlines for not following noise abatement procedures, as safety always takes priority.

This document summarizes a March 4, 2019 meeting of the StART (Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) Federal Policy Working Group, which brought together community members, city officials, congressional representatives, and Port of Seattle staff to discuss aviation noise policy. The group reviewed the history of federal noise regulations, including the 1990 Airport Noise and Capacity Act, and debated priorities such as improving noise measurement metrics, expanding funding for noise insulation, and increasing local communities' regulatory control. Key discussions centered on how to influence the FAA Reauthorization Act and support new legislation proposed by Congressman Adam Smith to better address the noise impacts on neighborhoods surrounding Sea-Tac Airport.