TagThird Runway(1067)

VS2DI is a graphical software package developed by the U.S. Geological Survey for simulating how fluids flow and how solutes or energy move through variably saturated porous media such as soil and rock. The software includes a preprocessor for entering simulation data, a postprocessor for visualizing results, and a numerical model engine. It was published in 2000 as part of the USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report series.

In November 1999, Highline Water District and the Port of Seattle reached a settlement agreement resolving competing claims over two water rights near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Under the deal, the Port retained rights to Well #1 for uses including Des Moines Creek flow augmentation tied to the proposed third runway project, while the District secured rights to a replacement for Well #2 to continue providing drinking water to its 58,000 customers. The District emphasized that the agreement was strictly about protecting its water rights and service area, and that it took no official position on the controversial third runway expansion.

This 1999 manual, prepared jointly by the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides airport personnel with guidance on managing the safety risks posed by wildlife at airports. It covers topics including the FAA National Wildlife Strike Database, the roles of various federal agencies, and strategies for reducing bird and animal strikes on aircraft. The manual draws on strike records from 1990–1998 to illustrate the frequency, types, and impacts of wildlife encounters with aircraft.

A November 30, 1999 letter from Port of Seattle's Aviation Project Management Group to Seattle Public Utilities reports the fourth and final quarterly stormwater monitoring results for the Sea-Tac Airport North Employees' Parking Lot (NEPL). Testing of water samples collected throughout 1999 found pollutant levels—including metals, hydrocarbons, and suspended solids—well below Washington State residential water supply standards. Based on these results, the Port proposed ending the monitoring program and invited the City of Seattle to confer on whether further monitoring was warranted under their Interlocal Agreement.

In November 1999, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) wrote to the Port of Seattle offering approximately 120,000 cubic yards of excess fill material from the First Avenue South Bridge construction site for use in the Sea-Tac Airport third runway project. While most of the material was found to be environmentally sound, the top few feet of soil showed slightly elevated levels of petroleum hydrocarbons, which WSDOT offered to retest using a different procedure before any transfer. The Port was asked to confirm environmental acceptability and provide a haul route before an agreement could be finalized.

In a November 1999 letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the law firm Smith & Lowney submitted comments on behalf of Citizens Against Seatac Expansion (CASE) opposing a permit for the Port of Seattle's proposed Third Runway expansion at Sea-Tac Airport. The letter argues that the permit should be denied because the project would violate federal and state water quality standards, including toxic effluent limits for copper and zinc, and cause significant degradation to U.S. waters. It urges the Corps to consider not only the direct environmental impacts of the proposed fill, but also the cumulative and secondary effects of all current and future airport operations when making its permitting decision.

A November 1999 technical letter from Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, submitted on behalf of the Airport Communities Coalition, identifies major deficiencies in the proposed stormwater management plan for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's 3rd runway development. The review finds that the plan fails to comply with the 1998 King County Surface Water Design Manual and Washington State Department of Ecology guidelines, including requirements for large-site drainage reviews, offsite analysis, and flow control. The consultants warn that if the plan is approved as written, it could cause significant adverse impacts to downstream creek systems, including Miller Creek and Des Moines Creek.

Washington Court of Appeals Division One published opinion (No. 42306-1-I, filed November 15, 1999) in City of Des Moines, City of Burien, City of Federal Way, City of Normandy Park, City of Tukwila, Highline School District No. 401, and Airport Communities Coalition v. Puget Sound Regional Council, Executive Board of PSRC, Port of Seattle, and

Hart Crowser subsurface conditions data report (J-4978-16) prepared for HNTB and Port Of Seattle, dated November 12, 1999, regarding Phase 3 Fill for the Third Runway embankment at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Report covers generalized geologic and subsurface soil conditions, hydrogeologic conditions, field explorations (auger borings HC99-B61, HC99-B63, HC99-B65, HC99-B71, HC99-B73), test pits HC99-TP26 through HC99-TP44,