TagThird Runway(1067)

A February 2001 laboratory report from Columbia Analytical Services transmits water and sediment quality monitoring results to Columbia Biological Assessments in Richland, Washington, under service request K2101038. The report confirms that all analyses were conducted in accordance with the laboratory's quality assurance program, with samples received on February 12, 2001 and preliminary results faxed on February 23, 2001. The accompanying documentation includes standard data qualifier codes for inorganic, metals, and organic results used to interpret analytical findings.

Email chain (Exhibit 2061, AR031718-AR031720) dated February 26, 2001, from Jerald LaVassar (Ecology Dam Safety Office) to Ann Kenny (Ecology), responding to Andrea Grad (Helsell law firm, representing ACC/Airport Communities Coalition). LaVassar explains why the Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall at Sea-Tac Airport’s third runway project does not qualify as a dam under WAC 173-175-020,

A February 2001 letter from Azous Environmental Sciences, submitted on behalf of the Airport Communities Coalition, critiques the Port of Seattle's environmental mitigation plan for the proposed third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The letter argues that key analyses of wetland functions, permanent and temporary wetland area losses, and cumulative environmental impacts are missing or scientifically unsupported in the Port's December 2000 documents. The author concludes that federal and state agencies lack sufficient information to determine whether the project complies with the Clean Water Act or whether the proposed mitigation adequately offsets the project's adverse impacts on wetlands, streams, and fisheries.

A February 2001 letter from law firm Helsell Fetterman, representing the Airport Communities Coalition (cities of Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, Tukwila, and the Highline School District), urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Washington State Department of Ecology to deny the Port of Seattle's permits for the proposed Sea-Tac third runway. The letter argues that the Port had already spent nearly $300 million on construction before receiving required Clean Water Act approvals, and that its application lacked adequate stormwater management plans and failed to meet water quality standards. Independent experts retained by the coalition found the Port's environmental mitigation proposals to be technically flawed, incomplete, and legally insufficient.

In February 2001, engineering firm GeoSyntec Consultants submitted a technical review letter on behalf of the Airport Communities Coalition, raising serious concerns about the proposed Third Runway expansion at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The review identified significant deficiencies in the geotechnical investigation and analysis supporting construction of the embankment fill and West MSE Wall, including insufficient soil strength data and inadequate seismic safety assessments. GeoSyntec warned that the proposed design — which would result in the world's tallest MSE wall built over weak, potentially unstable soils in a seismically active region — could fail under earthquake conditions, threatening both airport operations and nearby natural resources.

In February 2001, GeoSyntec Consultants submitted a technical review letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Washington State Department of Ecology on behalf of the Airport Communities Coalition, raising serious concerns about the proposed Third Runway expansion at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The letter identified significant deficiencies in the geotechnical investigation, analysis, and design of the planned embankment fill and West Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Wall, warning that the project's foundations involved weak peat and liquefiable sands in a highly seismic area. GeoSyntec concluded that the available data was insufficient to confirm the safety of what would be the tallest MSE wall in the world, and that approval should not be granted without a more thorough geotechnical review.

A fisheries biologist writing on behalf of the Airport Communities Coalition argues that the Port of Seattle has not provided sufficient scientific evidence to justify a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit for its proposed third runway expansion at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The letter contends that the project would harm local streams (Miller Creek, Walker Creek, and Des Moines Creek) and their fish populations — including federally threatened Chinook salmon — through stream relocation, contaminated fill materials, and toxic stormwater runoff containing copper, zinc, and de-icing chemicals. The author concludes that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lacks an adequate scientific basis to approve the permit without additional environmental study and mitigation measures.

A fisheries biologist hired by the Airport Communities Coalition argues that the Port of Seattle has not provided sufficient scientific evidence to justify a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit for its proposed third runway project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The report concludes that the Port's plans would harm wetlands, streams, and fish populations—including federally threatened Chinook salmon—in the Miller Creek, Walker Creek, and Des Moines Creek watersheds through contaminated fill, toxic stormwater runoff, and the rerouting of Miller Creek. The biologist urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to require additional environmental studies and water quality modeling before any permit decision is made.

Sheldon & Associates letter dated February 15, 2001, responding to public notice comments regarding the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Masterplan Update Projects Section 404/401 Permits. Addresses movement of water through embankment fill and Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall, drainage layer design to prevent excess pore pressures, rock underdrain clogging prevention using Group 1A filter material, shallow

A February 2001 technical review letter from Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, submitted on behalf of the Airport Communities Coalition, raises concerns about the stormwater management plan for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's proposed third runway expansion. The letter identifies deficiencies in hydrology and hydraulics analyses, inconsistencies in stormwater detention standards, and the lack of a clear independent review process for the complex project. Reviewers warn that without stricter oversight and well-defined engineering requirements, the development risks significant adverse impacts to local streams and wetlands, particularly Miller Creek and Des Moines Creek.