TagStART(502)

In August 2019, the City of Des Moines formally notified Sea-Tac Airport's Director of Aviation that it was suspending its participation in the Stakeholder Advisory Roundtable (StART) Committee. The decision followed the Port of Seattle's approval of $10 million for Near-Term Airport Master Plan design work at an off-site meeting held without prior notice to affected communities, which Des Moines argued violated state environmental review requirements and broke the trust the StART process was built upon. The letter also highlights ongoing concerns about the disproportionate noise and health impacts experienced by Des Moines residents due to the city's proximity to Sea-Tac Airport.

This document summarizes an August 12, 2019 meeting of the StART Aviation Noise Working Group, a collaborative body between the Port of Seattle and neighboring communities including Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Federal Way. The group received updates on several noise reduction initiatives, including a newly launched Late Night Noise Limitation Program, a revised Runway Use Agreement aimed at reducing third-runway use at night, and a Glide Slope Adjustment project expected to take approximately four years to implement. Additionally, an ongoing analysis of Noise Abatement Departure Profiles was discussed, with final results expected by September 30, 2019.

In August 2019, the City of Burien sent a draft letter to the Port of Seattle raising eight pointed questions about Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's handling of aircraft noise, air quality, and community impact. The letter challenges the Port's failure to conduct comprehensive noise studies since 2002, its slow implementation of sound insulation programs, and its prioritization of airport expansion planning over legally recommended noise mitigation measures. Burien officials conclude that the Port has not treated compatibility with surrounding communities as a genuine priority, citing decades of unaddressed recommendations dating back to a 1996 Expert Arbitration Panel report.

A August 5, 2019 meeting of the StART Federal Policy Working Group gathered community representatives, congressional staff, and Port of Seattle officials to review draft legislation — the Aviation Impacted Communities Act — proposed by U.S. Representative Adam Smith, which would establish a process for noise-impacted communities near airports to form advisory boards and develop mitigation plans. Participants provided feedback on the bill, raising concerns about eligibility thresholds, FAA accountability, community board composition, and the risk of simply shifting flight paths rather than solving noise problems. The group also reviewed a Federal Advocacy Work Plan outlining their priorities and next steps for engagement.

The Highline Forum held a public meeting on July 31, 2019, at Highline College in Des Moines, Washington, focusing on the FAA Part 150 Aviation Noise Program and the South King County Fund, both related to managing aircraft noise impacts around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Port of Seattle staff presented updates on community engagement, environmental funding, and noise mitigation efforts, with additional time for public comment and discussion of emerging issues. The forum also announced two upcoming 2019 meetings scheduled for September 25 in Tukwila and November 20 in Des Moines.

A July 23, 2019 Port of Seattle briefing document outlines the aviation capital planning and preliminary design process for Sea-Tac Airport, covering three phases: completed master planning, advanced planning still in progress, and preliminary design requiring capital funds approval. Key topics include near-term projects, projects requiring preliminary design authorization, and the relocation of a Glideslope Antenna. The preliminary design phase aims to develop individual project programs in sufficient detail to produce a Project Definition Document (PDD) and transition projects into full design.

This document contains a legal invoice dated July 15, 2019, from Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. to the City of Burien for $5,262.50, covering 26 hours of legal and consulting work performed in May and June 2019 related to Sea-Tac Airport noise and community impact issues, including meetings with four cities, StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) planning and preparation, and review of airport presentations. The invoice details work by attorneys James Allerdice, Emily Tranter, and Jason Schwartz on strategy correspondence, in-person client meetings, and research into community impacts and Part 150 noise regulations. An accompanying email thread confirms City of SeaTac Director Steve Pilcher approved payment of the invoice, which was submitted by Emily Tranter on July 30, 2019.