TagStART(508)

The Port of Seattle responds to questions from the City of Burien about aircraft noise studies, noise abatement procedures, and community mitigation programs at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The Port clarifies that its 2014 Part 150 noise study covered all three runways and actually showed a smaller noise-impacted area due to quieter aircraft technology, and that the upcoming Sustainable Airport Master Plan environmental review will further assess noise impacts. The document also addresses concerns about the pace of sound insulation programs, the transparency of the StART community advisory process, and the legal and regulatory constraints that limit the Port's ability to mandate certain noise reduction measures.

The Burien Airport Committee met on October 15, 2019 to discuss the city's participation in the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), review legislative priorities related to the airport, and consider a meeting request with the EPA Administrator. The agenda included draft minutes from a September 17, 2019 joint meeting with the Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee, where members debated conditions for rejoining StART or forming an alternative community forum. Key concerns raised included meeting transparency, equal agenda-setting rights, and greater involvement of elected officials in airport noise and policy discussions.

The Burien Airport Committee met on October 15, 2019 to discuss the city's relationship with the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), including whether to rejoin the forum under new conditions or establish an alternative. The agenda also covered state and federal legislative priorities related to airport noise and operations, and a proposed meeting request with the EPA Administrator. Draft minutes from a September 17, 2019 joint session with the Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee were also reviewed for approval.

This October 2019 meeting summary from the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) covers key updates on airport noise reduction efforts, including early results showing a significant drop in late-night flights using the 3rd Runway after a new Runway Use Plan took effect in September 2019. The summary also presents third-quarter data from the Late Night Noise Limitation Program, highlighting that cargo carriers such as EVA Airlines, FedEx Express, and China Airlines Cargo accounted for the majority of noise threshold exceedances. Additionally, an analysis of Noise Abatement Departure Profiles recommended that airlines use the Distant departure profile (NADP2) to reduce noise exposure for the greatest number of nearby residents.

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 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.

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.

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.