TagThird Runway(1098)

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.

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.

A February 2001 technical review letter from Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, submitted on behalf of the Airport Communities Coalition, raises serious concerns about the stormwater management plans for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's proposed third runway expansion. The review identifies multiple technical deficiencies in the project's hydrology and drainage designs, warning that they could cause significant adverse impacts to local streams and wetlands, particularly Miller Creek and Des Moines Creek. The letter also criticizes the lack of clearly defined stormwater control standards, absence of independent design review processes, and failure to provide financial guarantees for implementing the stormwater management plan.

In February 2001, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants submitted technical review comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Washington State Department of Ecology on behalf of the Airport Communities Coalition, raising concerns about the stormwater management plan for the proposed third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The letter identified multiple deficiencies, including dam safety issues, vault structures that violated King County depth requirements, inadequate methods for assessing standing open water durations, and insufficient erosion and sediment control planning. These issues, the consultants warned, could pose risks to both structural safety and safe airport operations if not addressed prior to project approval.

A 2001 environmental review letter from Sheldon & Associates, commissioned by the Airport Communities Coalition, challenges the Port of Seattle's technical documents for the proposed Third Runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The review finds that the Port has not adequately demonstrated that massive fill placement and engineered retaining walls would avoid long-term damage to downslope wetlands, groundwater flows, and Miller Creek. Key unresolved concerns include the reliability of the proposed underdrain system, incomplete baseline data, and the lack of independent construction oversight.

This document is a professional curriculum vitae for Patrick C. Lucia, a civil engineer and Principal at GeoSyntec Consultants specializing in geotechnical engineering, landslides, and slope stability. It details his education, professional registrations, career history, and representative project experience, including bridge seismic reviews, landslide repairs, and reservoir stability evaluations in California. Note: This document does not appear to contain content related to Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

A declaration by geologist John J. Strunk of Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. (AESI) submitted to Washington State's Pollution Control Hearings Board describes groundwater contamination studies conducted at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) in connection with the proposed Third Runway project. The studies found that while contamination exists in shallow groundwater zones within the Airport's Aircraft Operations and Maintenance Area (AOMA), it is isolated and located approximately 2,800 feet from the Third Runway site, with water flow predominantly directed away from that area. AESI concluded that subsurface utility lines do not appear to be a significant pathway for contaminant migration toward the Third Runway construction zone.

Letter dated February 8, 2001 from Hart Crowser Principal Geotechnical Engineer to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Jonathan Freedman) and Washington State Department of Ecology (Ann Kenny), documenting comments made at the January 26, 2001 public hearing on 404/401 permit applications J-4978-30-06. Comments focus on the design and independent technical review of mechanically stabilized earth