TagThird Runway(1092)

In April 1999, a proposal to build a temporary two-mile conveyor belt to transport fill material for Sea-Tac Airport's planned third runway met strong resistance from Des Moines residents. The belt was intended to reduce heavy dump truck traffic on South King County roads, but neighbors opposed both the conveyor plan and the runway project itself, packing City Council meetings in protest. The third runway, requiring over 17 million cubic yards of fill, was scheduled for completion by 2005.

A March 30, 1999 follow-up phone call was made to Kevin Fitzpatrick of Ecology regarding a WER (Waste Equivalency Ratio) work plan renewal and a mixing zone study approach for a project near Sea-Tac Airport. Fitzpatrick indicated that Gary Bailey would assist with the WER work plan alongside Randy Marshall, and Norm Glen would review the mixing zone approach, but Kevin wanted to wait until after an April 1, 1999 meeting before proceeding. Key outstanding questions included whether existing outfalls already meet treatment standards and whether the Puget Sound Stormwater Manual technology standards would apply to existing outfalls at the site.

This document consists of a fax transmission from Parametrix, Inc. to Scott Tobiason at the Port of Seattle, dated March 29, 1999, transmitting water quality data logs and flow weighting calculation worksheets for WGR (water quality) samples collected from receiving streams on February 22, 1999. The attached field data logs record measurements such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and water levels at a site designated 'WC,' along with observations of rain, sheen, and water color during sampling. A flow weighting calculation worksheet for the 'Walker' site summarizes subsample volumes and calculates a total storm flow of 33,030 units for a 30-inch pipe.

A 1999 internal Port of Seattle memorandum reviews soil quality data for the Hamm Creek Restoration Project site near Boeing Field, evaluating whether the material is safe to use as fill for a proposed third runway. The review found that detected contaminants — including PCBs, DDTs, mercury, and PAHs — fell below MTCA cleanup levels, leading to the conclusion that the material is suitable for upland fill use. While the soil did not meet PSDDA standards for open-water disposal, the memo notes that this distinction is not technically relevant given its intended use as runway fill.

A March 1999 internal email from Patrick Cagney of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discusses potential disposal sites for excavated soil material related to a construction project near Seattle. Three options were identified: the Port of Seattle's third runway project (no tipping fee, hauling costs only), ProCon at 16 miles away (costs ranging from $32–$124 depending on truck size and material wetness), and Sunset at 13 miles away ($1.75 per yard). The email notes that hauling distances would be the primary cost driver across all options.

This is a HartCrowser engineering calculations document dated 3/16/99, related to a '3R Wall Alternative Selection Process' peer review. It contains technical notes on retaining wall construction considerations, including settlement allowances, corrosion rates, MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth) wall facing under seismic conditions, geosynthetic material quality checks, and construction contingencies. The document also outlines action items including verbal records, memos, and specifications on plumbness and connections, with a meeting scheduled for the following week.

A March 16, 1999 outgoing phone call was made to Elizabeth Leavitt of POS regarding her questions about the WER (Work Element Review) outline, review process, and mixing zones. Elizabeth was advised she could discuss the WER outline directly with Kevin Fitzpatrick and Mark Hicks, and that the team was preparing written thoughts on mixing zones for further discussion. The call also addressed scheduling a Port review of the WER workplan outline, with a suggestion to coordinate the review alongside a Fooogy (likely Ecology) meeting the following week.

This 1999 email chain between Washington State Department of Ecology staff discusses the challenges of applying water quality standards to stormwater discharges related to the proposed Sea-Tac Airport third runway project. Officials from the Water Quality and Shorelines/Environmental Assistance programs agreed that strictly enforcing numeric water quality criteria on stormwater is scientifically and legally difficult, and recommended an 'adaptive management' approach requiring monitoring and ongoing improvements rather than immediate full compliance. The correspondence also highlights resource limitations, the relationship between Section 401 and 402 Clean Water Act permits, and the need for a consistent statewide policy on stormwater review.

A 1999 memo from Washington State Department of Ecology staff member Roger Nye to Assistant Attorney General Kathy Gerla raises legal questions about reinstating a full-time 'prepaid' regulatory position at Sea-Tac Airport, funded by the Port of Seattle. The memo outlines the history of the position from 1992–1996, noting it was cancelled due to the lack of a signed Agreed Order, and describes public concerns that the arrangement gave the Port undue influence over Ecology. Key issues flagged include whether the prepaid role can legally extend beyond the scope of an Agreed Order, whether a new Interagency Agreement is needed, and whether reinstatement would require a public comment period likely to draw strong opposition.