TagThird Runway(1098)

United Airlines formally disagreed with a proposed use of Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) funds totaling $104.3 million toward a $587.4 million third runway construction project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The airline argued that the runway would not meaningfully improve national air transportation capacity, safety, or competition, noting that less than 30 seconds of average delay could actually be attributed to the absence of a third runway. United also raised concerns about potential improper diversion of federal transportation funds and warned that approving the project before its full costs were understood would set a harmful precedent.

Port of Seattle transmittal letter dated January 11, 2001 from Environmental Manager Elizabeth Leavitt to Ann Kenny at the Washington State Department of Ecology, transmitting a revised Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Consistency Statement (Federal Project Number 96-4-02325). The CZM certification covers construction of a third runway and other improvements at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including filling

Transmittal record dated January 11, 2001 from Elizabeth Leavitt, Environmental Manager, Port Of Seattle Aviation Environmental Group, to Ann Kenny, Department of Ecology, transmitting a revised Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Consistency Statement for Federal Project Number 96-4-02325. The CZM certification covers construction of a third runway and other improvements at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including filling

Email dated January 3, 2001 from Chung K. Yee to Kevin Fitzpatrick regarding copper contamination in fill soil samples from a proposed Third Runway fill source site. Beth Clark questioned use of Method B protection of groundwater standard (100X groundwater standard) for copper samples testing 70–100 mg/kg. Yee reaffirmed the Method B standard and disagreed

US Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District Second Revised Public Notice (Reference 1996-4-02325, dated 27 December 2000, expiration 16 February 2001) for Department of the Army permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Port Of Seattle applicant (contact Elizabeth Leavitt) proposes to fill 50 wetlands totaling 18.37 acres and temporarily impact 12 wetlands

This December 2000 email from Northwest Hydraulic Consultants summarizes technical concerns about Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's Industrial Wastewater System (IWS) and its effects on local waterways. The consultants warn that diverting large areas of stormwater runoff to the IWS is reducing natural water flows to Walker Creek and Des Moines Creek, and that lining the IWS storage lagoons may further diminish groundwater base flows to those streams. Additional concerns include undersized detention facilities, lack of continuous simulation modeling, and unresolved conflicts with FAA wildlife guidelines related to the proposed Third Lagoon expansion.

A scientist retained by the Airport Communities Coalition wrote to the EPA in December 2000, raising serious concerns about the Port of Seattle accepting contaminated fill materials for the proposed Third Runway project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The letter argues that the Port improperly used Washington State's Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) cleanup standards as fill acceptance criteria, when those standards were designed to clean up existing contaminated sites, not to permit introducing pollution onto previously clean land. The scientist also criticizes the Port's soil testing methods as statistically inadequate to detect the true extent of contamination, warning that chemicals in the fill could leach into groundwater, wetlands, and surface water including Miller Creek.

This December 2000 Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan, prepared by Parametrix, Inc. for the Port of Seattle, outlines how Seattle-Tacoma International Airport planned to manage stormwater runoff as part of its Master Plan Update improvements. The plan covers water quantity and quality standards, drainage basin conditions, hydrologic modeling, and best management practices for both existing and future airport development areas. It addresses topics such as detention storage, treatment of industrial wastewater, wildlife safety near detention ponds, and protection of nearby waterways including Miller Creek and Des Moines Creek.

Floyd & Snider Inc. meeting notes summary (draft for review) covering 401 Permit negotiations between the Port Of Seattle and Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) regarding the Sea-Tac Airport Stormwater Master Plan Update and third runway construction, October 2 through November 29, 2000. Document ECY00009383/AR029061 covers technical issues including detention sizing, basin acreage discrepancies,

Final draft meeting notes prepared by Kate Snider of Floyd & Snider Inc. from the Sea-Tac Airport Third Runway 401 Permit Negotiations meeting held December 8, 2000. Attendees included representatives from Washington State Department of Ecology (Ray Hellwig, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ann Kenny, Dave Garland), Port Of Seattle (Elizabeth Leavitt, Michael Cheyne, Keith Smith), King County