TagStART(542)

The Burien Airport Committee (BAC) met on May 15, 2018 to discuss air quality, FAA updates, and strategies for addressing Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's impact on the Burien community. Key priorities included updating noise contour maps, gathering environmental justice data, reviewing air pollution studies, and identifying economic benefits for Burien from its proximity to the airport. The committee also reviewed draft minutes from its April 17, 2018 meeting, where members were assigned tasks such as drafting a resolution on airport noise and emission concerns.

The Burien Airport Committee (BAC) held meetings in early 2018 to address concerns about Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's growth and its impact on surrounding communities. Key topics included the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Environmental Impact Statement, an Interlocal Agreement among Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and SeaTac to coordinate responses to airport expansion, and updates on noise-related efforts such as Quiet Skies Burien and the city's petition regarding turbo-prop flights overhead. The committee also discussed participation in regional aviation planning studies led by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) and the FAA.

The Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee met on March 12, 2018 to discuss concerns about Sea-Tac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), including the city's decision to commit $50,000 to join an interlocal environmental review agreement with neighboring cities. The committee also reviewed the first meeting of the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), with representatives expressing cautious optimism about its future value, and began preparing materials on noise and health issues for an upcoming City Council study session. A Federal Way resident also addressed the committee, urging Des Moines to encourage Federal Way to take a more active role in addressing airport noise impacts.

At a March 12, 2018 Aviation Advisory Committee meeting, the City of Des Moines raised concerns that Sea-Tac Airport was approving capacity-expanding projects — including the North Satellite, International Arrivals Facility, and Concourse D Hardstand Holdroom — on a piecemeal basis rather than evaluating their combined environmental impacts together. The City sent a letter to the Airport's Managing Director arguing that treating these projects as part of the baseline 'future condition' in the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental review, rather than as growth-related additions, was unacceptable and contradicted prior commitments. Des Moines requested clarification and a reaffirmation that the cumulative capacity and noise impacts of these projects would be fully analyzed in the SAMP review, citing disproportionate noise and health burdens on residents living near the airport.

This February 28, 2018 presentation by Aviation Director Lance Lyttle was delivered to the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), a community engagement body focused on airport-related issues including noise. The presentation covers an overview of the Port of Seattle's organizational structure — governed by five elected King County commissioners and led by an Executive Director overseeing Aviation, Maritime, Economic Development, and Capital Development divisions — as well as a review of Sea-Tac Airport's current operations and future plans.

The Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) held its kick-off meeting on February 28, 2018, bringing together representatives from six neighboring communities, two airlines, the FAA, and the Port of Seattle to improve cooperation and transparency around airport operations. The first meeting focused on how the airport is governed and operates, and participants identified a need for clearer understanding of roles, decision-making authority, and how communities can influence airport air and ground operations decisions. The next meeting was scheduled for April 25, 2018, and is open to the public.

The Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) held its first meeting on February 28, 2018, bringing together representatives from six neighboring communities, two airlines, the FAA, and the Port of Seattle to improve communication and cooperation around airport operations. The kick-off meeting focused on how the airport is governed and operated, and stakeholders discussed potential topics for future meetings, including understanding decision-making authority over air and ground operations. The next public meeting was scheduled for April 25, 2018, at the Conference Center at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee met on February 12, 2018 to discuss Sea-Tac Airport's 25-year growth plan (the Sustainable Airport Master Plan) and a proposed agreement between neighboring cities to jointly fund an independent environmental review of that plan. The committee also reviewed a resolution on long-term aviation capacity needs in Western Washington and planned to participate in a March 1 City Council study session covering topics such as the siting of a second airport, the roles of various regulatory bodies, and strategies for influencing the FAA and Port of Seattle. Additional items included updates on a state-funded airport impact study, the formation of a new Sea-Tac Airport Stakeholders Advisory Round Table, and community concerns about aircraft noise and its effects on property values.

The Des Moines Aviation Advisory Committee met on December 5, 2017 to discuss key issues related to Sea-Tac Airport, including the formation of the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Roundtable (StART) and an 18-month air quality study being conducted by the University of Washington to examine the effects of ultra-fine particles from jet exhaust on surrounding communities. The committee also reviewed the environmental review process for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), noting concerns that the Port of Seattle may pursue a less rigorous Environmental Assessment rather than a full Environmental Impact Statement. Community members raised additional concerns about nighttime flights, air cargo operations, and the Port potentially bypassing SEPA/NEPA requirements through piecemeal project approvals.