TagStART(502)

The Highline Forum held its September 24, 2025 meeting at the City of Des Moines Police Training Room, with key agenda topics including an update on the Part 150 Noise Study for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the South King & Port Community Fund Environmental Improvement Program. The hybrid meeting, co-chaired by Councilmember Matt Mahoney, also featured presentations on the SEA Airport Aviation Director search and a StART update from Port of Seattle representatives. The forum meets bimonthly throughout 2025, rotating among local host cities including Federal Way, Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac.

The Des Moines, Washington City Council Airport Advisory Committee held its inaugural meeting on August 11, 2025, electing Joe Dusenbury as Chair and Jeffrey Bogen as Vice Chair, and received introductory presentations on the Port of Seattle's StART community partnership program and the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP). Members raised questions about Council expectations, existing resident survey data on airport impacts, and how to best communicate concerns about Sea-Tac Airport noise and related issues. A follow-up meeting was scheduled for September 8, 2025, to review a Council update, hear a StART report from Dusenbury, and discuss a potential community survey on airport impacts.

The SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) held a meeting on August 27, 2025, focused on two main objectives: receiving an update from Washington State's Commercial Aviation Working Group (CAWG) and finalizing StART's 2025/2026 priorities. The agenda also included updates on aviation noise programs, federal and state policy activities, and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Master Plan (SAMP), with presentations led by Port of Seattle and WSDOT officials. The next tentative meeting was scheduled for October 22, 2025, via Zoom.

The Des Moines, Washington City Council Airport Advisory Committee held its inaugural meeting on August 11, 2025, covering organizational matters such as member introductions and the selection of a Chair and Vice Chair. The agenda also included briefings on the Port of Seattle's StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) community engagement program and the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), both of which relate to managing the impacts of Sea-Tac Airport on surrounding communities. The committee also discussed selecting a StART representative and reviewed meeting policies, reflecting Des Moines' active role in regional airport noise and development oversight.

The StART (SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) Policy Working Group met on August 8, 2025, via Zoom to review and discuss proposed federal and state legislative priorities related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The one-hour meeting featured updates from Port of Seattle government relations managers Eric Schinfeld and John Flanagan on federal and state policy matters respectively. The next meeting is scheduled for October 6, 2025, also via Zoom.

The Port of Seattle and communities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport have outlined shared policy priorities for the 2026 state legislative session, addressing key challenges including aircraft noise, air quality, and the airport's near-full capacity. The proposals include a noise insulation repair program, identifying new regional airport capacity, sustaining air quality programs for schools and residences, expanding sustainable aviation fuel production, and reducing emissions from ground transportation. These priorities reflect a joint effort between the Port and neighboring communities to partner with the state legislature on practical solutions that balance regional economic growth with the well-being of South King County residents.

The StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) coalition has outlined its 2025/2026 federal policy priorities aimed at reducing aircraft noise and air emissions around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Key goals include passing new legislation to fund failed noise insulation repairs and expand EPA authority over aviation emissions, securing funding for sustainable aviation fuel programs, and pushing the FAA to fully implement noise and emissions provisions from the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act that have stalled under new federal leadership. The group also plans a Washington, D.C. advocacy trip in spring 2026 to advance these priorities with Congressional and Administration officials.