TagThird Runway(1067)

In an October 25, 2000 letter to Washington State Department of Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons, the Airport Communities Coalition (representing cities of Burien, Tukwila, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, and the Highline School District) protested the removal of senior environmental specialist Tom Luster from the Port of Seattle's third runway 401 water quality permit review. The coalition alleged that political pressure from the Port of Seattle — including secret meetings with the Governor's office and a coordinated public relations campaign — was improperly influencing the regulatory process. The letter demanded Luster's immediate reinstatement, citing his three years of institutional knowledge and commitment to science-based, nonpolitical decision-making on the permit.

Memorandum dated October 24, 2000 from Paula Ehlers, Section Manager, to Gordon White, Jeannie Summerhays, Ray Heilwig, and Seatac File, regarding refocusing work priorities for Tom Luster, Senior Policy Lead for federal permitting. Ehlers explains that Tom Luster’s involvement in the SeaTac Third Runway project has prevented him from fulfilling his statewide Section 401 Clean

Final draft meeting notes prepared by Rachel McCrea of Floyd & Snider Inc. for the Sea-Tac Airport Third Runway 401 Permit Negotiations meeting held October 24, 2000, 1:30–5:00 PM. Attendees include representatives from King County (Kelly Whiting, Mark Lampard), AquaTerra (Joe Brascher), Earthtech (Rick Schaefer), Parametrix (Paul Fendt, Jim Dexter), HNTB (Alan Black), and Floyd

Email exchange dated October 24, 2000 between Ann Kenny (Ecology NWRO, 425-649-4310) and Rachel McCrea of Floyd & Snider, Inc. regarding Third Runway 401 permit negotiations with Port Of Seattle. McCrea informs Kenny she will be replacing Tom Luster in the 401 permit negotiations and provides meeting notes (3rw-401 100200, 100600, 101000, 101300, 102000). Upcoming

In October 2000, Washington State Department of Ecology staff exchanged internal emails debating conditions for issuing a Section 401 water quality certification related to Sea-Tac Airport's proposed third runway expansion. Key concerns included the need for approved stormwater plans for the Highway 509 interchange, potential impacts to Tyee Pond and Des Moines Creek flows from construction fill and impervious surfaces, and ensuring compliance with an existing Agreed Order governing groundwater contamination. Staff member Tom Luster warned that draft meeting notes did not accurately reflect prior internal agreements, and that issuing a 401 without addressing these issues could fail to meet regulatory requirements.

Internal email chain dated October 23, 2000 from Tom Luster (Ecology) to Raymond Hellwig, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Erik Stockdale, and Joan Marchioro (ATG), forwarded November 20, 2000 to Thomas Fitzsimmons, concerning 401/404 review of SeaTac airport Third Runway expansion. Luster raises unresolved issues including: NPDES major modification and stormwater plan approval for SR-509 interchange as prerequisite

Memorandum dated October 20, 2000 from Michael A.P. Kenrick, P.E. and Michael J. Bailey, P.E. of Hart Crowser to Jim Thomson of HNTB regarding Sea-Tac Third Runway Borrow Area 3 wetland preservation, project J-4978-06, prepared for Port Of Seattle. Covers hydrology sustaining Wetlands 29, B9, 30, B7, B6, and B5 in Borrow Area 3, including

Memorandum dated October 20, 2000 from Michael A.P. Kenrick, P.E., and Michael J. Bailey, P.E. of Hart Crowser to Jim Thomson at HNTB (project J-4978-06), prepared for Port Of Seattle regarding Sea-Tac Third Runway Borrow Area 3 wetland preservation. Reviews hydrology sustaining Wetlands 29, B9, 30, B7, B6, and B5 in Borrow Area 3, located

Final draft meeting notes prepared by Kate Snider of Floyd & Snider Inc. for the Sea-Tac Airport Third Runway 401 Permit Negotiations held October 20, 2000. Attendees include representatives from Washington State Department of Ecology (Ray Hellwig, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Chung Ki Yee, Erik Stockdale), Port Of Seattle (Michael Cheyne, Elizabeth Leavitt, Keith Smith), King County

Memorandum dated October 20, 2000 from Michael A.P. Kenrick, P.E. and Michael J. Bailey, P.E. of Hart Crowser to Jim Thomson at HNTB Boston, regarding Sea-Tac Third Runway Borrow Area 3 wetland preservation (project J-4978-06). Document provides conceptual design for a proposed drainage swale to protect wetlands in Borrow Area 3 located south of Sea-Tac