TagThird Runway(1098)

A June 13, 2001 email from Kate Snider of Floyd Snider McCarthy, Inc. notifies project team members of a conference call scheduled for 3:30 PM that day. The agenda covers two technical topics: an updated approach to scaling up recharge rates (rather than precipitation) for an HSPF hydrological model run used to generate inputs for the Hydrus groundwater model, and a concern raised by one team member about potential upward groundwater flow. The email was sent to consultants and staff involved in what appears to be a groundwater modeling study related to the Sea-Tac Airport area.

These draft meeting notes from a June 12, 2001 technical meeting cover the Low Flow Analysis conducted as part of the 401 Permit Decision-Making process for Sea-Tac International Airport's Third Runway project. Representatives from the Washington Department of Ecology, King County, the Port of Seattle, and consulting firms discussed the status of hydrological modeling efforts, including HSPF and embankment seepage models, and outlined upcoming deliverables. The group also addressed plans for a mitigation and operational plan to evaluate and offset potential low stream flow impacts caused by the runway project.

Email from Chung K. Yee to Kevin Fitzpatrick (cc: Craig E. Thompson, Curtis A. Dahlgren, Tim Nord), dated June 13, 2001, regarding acceptable fill criteria language for the Draft 401 Certification for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Third Runway project. References June 11 discussion between Craig Thompson and Pete Kmet of HQ/TCP, who recommended MTCA (Model

These draft meeting notes from June 12, 2001 document a technical status meeting between the Washington Department of Ecology, King County, and the Port of Seattle regarding low stream flow analysis for the Sea-Tac International Airport Third Runway project. The group reviewed progress on hydrological modeling efforts, including HSPF and Hydrus modeling used to assess how runway embankment construction might affect nearby stream flows. Discussions also covered planned mitigation measures such as stormwater retention vaults, upcoming modeling deliverables, and a follow-up conference call that confirmed the Port team's modeling methodology was acceptable and conservative for evaluating embankment seepage.

Draft meeting notes from June 12, 2001 status meeting on Low Stream Flow related tasks for Sea-Tac International Airport Third Runway 401 Permit Decision-Making process. Attendees included Ann Kenny and John Drabeck (Dept. of Ecology), Kelly Whiting (King County), Keith Smith (Port of Seattle), Paul Fendt (Parametrix), and Charles Ellingson (Pacific Groundwater Group). Topics covered:

Motion for Voluntary Dismissal filed by Mark C. Rutzick on behalf of petitioners Airport Communities Coalition (ACC), City of Des Moines, City of Normandy Park, City of Burien, City of Federal Way, City of Tukwila, and Highline School District No. 401 in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Case No. 00-70848. Petitioners sought dismissal under

In June 2001, the EPA's Region 10 office submitted formal comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Port of Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport Third Runway project, which proposed filling over 18 acres of wetlands and 980 feet of Miller Creek. The EPA raised concerns about unresolved hydrological impacts, including the effects of a proposed retaining wall on nearby wetlands and groundwater flows, the adequacy of buffers around borrow pits, and the Port's undisclosed plans for vacant land parcels in the project area. The agency urged the Corps to carefully review these wetland and Clean Water Act compliance issues before issuing a construction permit.

In this June 2001 internal email, Tom Luster documents a conversation with Ann K. regarding Senator Patterson's request that he review an NPDES stormwater permit related to the Sea-Tac Airport expansion project. Luster notes concerns about whether construction Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the permit were sufficient to meet water quality standards under Section 401 requirements, stating that BMPs with a history of non-compliance should be replaced with proven alternatives. He also addresses his role as an independent reviewer, emphasizing his goal of ensuring a legally defensible decision rather than advocating for any particular party's position.

Final draft meeting notes prepared by Rachel McCrea of Floyd & Snider Inc. for a 401 Permit Decision-Making technical meeting on June 5, 2001 regarding Sea-Tac International Airport Third Runway. Attendees included Ann Kenny (Dept. of Ecology), Kelly Whiting (King County), Keith Smith (Port of Seattle), Alan Black (HNTB), Paul Fendt and Tom Atkins (Parametrix).

In a June 2001 internal memo, Tom Luster notes a call from Ann Kenny of the Washington Department of Ecology regarding the Sea-Tac Airport third runway project. Kenny indicated that Ecology intended to separate the Section 401 water quality certification from the Agreed Order, planning a new study to examine possible contamination pathways from the Airport Operations and Maintenance Area (AOMA) to the third runway site. Luster noted that if called upon for an affidavit, his testimony would reflect his understanding of how the key documents were connected during his time as project reviewer.