This 1997 document argues that the Port of Seattle's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed third runway at Sea-Tac Airport inadequately examines impacts on wetlands and fails to prescribe sufficient mitigation measures. It contends that the FAA and Port must meet federal and state legal requirements — including Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Washington's Growth Management Act — before any construction affecting wetlands can proceed. The document asserts that the EIS does not consider a broad enough range of alternatives, making it legally insufficient as a basis for approving the runway project.Open full document
Notes
This document argues that the Port of Seattle’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed third runway fails to adequately examine wetland impacts and prescribe sufficient mitigation. It outlines federal obligations under Executive Order on wetlands protection, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and EPA regulations, arguing that the FAA cannot legally determine there is no practicable alternative to wetland use given the DEIS’s failure to consider a reasonable range of alternatives. It also addresses state and local wetlands protection requirements under the Washington Growth Management Act.