TagStART(502)

The Highline Forum held a meeting on September 25, 2019, hosted by the City of Tukwila, focusing on StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) updates and community fund programs affecting South King County residents living near Sea-Tac Airport. Key agenda items included a StART update from Port of Seattle Aviation Director Lance Lyttle, along with updates on the South King County Fund and the ACE Fund presented by Port of Seattle Environmental Engagement Program Manager Andy Gregory. The next meeting was scheduled for November 20, 2019, at Des Moines Beach Park Dining Hall.

This document contains the agenda and draft minutes for a joint meeting of the Burien Airport Committee and Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee held on September 17, 2019, focused on issues related to Sea-Tac Airport. Key topics included next steps with the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), a potential joint funding request to the Port of Seattle-South King County Fund, and state and federal legislative priorities around airport noise and community health impacts. The attached July 30, 2019 draft minutes also reference letters to Senator Keiser and Congresswoman Jayapal regarding FAA concerns and a $125,000 state-funded community health impact study.

This document contains the agenda and draft minutes for a joint meeting of the Burien Airport Committee and Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee held on September 17, 2019, focused on Sea-Tac Airport noise and policy issues. Key topics included next steps with the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), a potential joint funding request to the Port of Seattle-South King County Fund, and state and federal legislative priorities related to the airport. The accompanying July 30, 2019 draft minutes reflect prior discussions on letters to Senator Keiser and Congresswoman Jayapal regarding FAA concerns, as well as ongoing review of Part 150 noise mitigation options.

In September 2019, the City of Des Moines responded to a Port of Seattle apology letter regarding the allocation of $10 million for Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) design work without prior environmental review or stakeholder notice, which had prompted Des Moines and other nearby cities to temporarily suspend participation in the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART). The City challenged the Port's claims of meaningful progress on noise reduction measures, requesting specific data on the Late Night Noise Limitation program, changes to nighttime flight schedules, and the status of runway glide slope adjustments. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Sea-Tac Airport and surrounding communities over transparency, environmental compliance, and the effectiveness of collaborative noise mitigation efforts.

In September 2019, the Port of Seattle announced two new programs to reduce late-night aircraft noise at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. A revised Runway Use Agreement with the FAA took effect on September 4, limiting use of the Third Runway (16R/34L) between midnight and 5 a.m., while a new voluntary Late Night Noise Limitation Program encourages airlines to schedule flights during less noise-sensitive hours or switch to quieter aircraft during the same period. Both initiatives stemmed from recommendations by the Sea-Tac Airport Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART).

In a September 12, 2019 letter to Port of Seattle Executive Director Steve Metruck, Des Moines Mayor Matt Pina outlines the city's concerns about Sea-Tac Airport's decision to allocate $10 million for Sustainable Airport Master Plan design work without environmental review or stakeholder notice, which prompted Des Moines to temporarily suspend its participation in the StART Committee. The letter demands specific, verifiable data on six noise-mitigation measures the Port claimed to have accomplished, including late-night flight reductions, runway glide slope adjustments, and third-runway usage limits, arguing these initiatives have been overstated as completed achievements. While expressing willingness to re-engage and noting several positive Port-city partnerships, Des Moines calls for greater transparency and accountability in the airport's community engagement process.

This document summarizes a September 9, 2019 meeting of the StART Federal Policy Working Group, a collaboration between the Port of Seattle and neighboring communities affected by Sea-Tac Airport noise. Key topics included a proposal to allow secondary sound insulation benefits for homes where original FAA-funded insulation has failed, and a review of draft letters to be sent to the FAA and members of Congress regarding noise studies and mitigation policies. The group also discussed strategies for outreach to six original StART member cities and a potential trip to Washington, DC to advocate for noise-related legislative priorities.

In this September 5, 2019 letter, Port of Seattle Executive Director Stephen Metruck responds to the City of Burien's decision to suspend participation in the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), along with similar decisions by Des Moines and Federal Way. Metruck apologizes for failing to promptly notify cities about preliminary design funding and reaffirms the Port's commitment to open communication on airport expansion and noise issues. He highlights progress made through StART—such as late-night noise limits, runway glide slope adjustments, and requests for airlines to retire louder aircraft—and pledges to work with all cities to find a constructive path forward.