Waiting Until the Last Minute? Speak Up on Sea-Tac Airport Expansion by Thursday

Residents have until 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, to submit comments on the Port of Seattle’s environmental review of its Sustainable Airport Master Plan, commonly called SAMP.

The plan includes more than 30 near-term projects intended to accommodate up to 56 million passengers annually at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement examines potential effects involving aircraft noise, air quality, traffic, public health, construction, stormwater, land use and surrounding communities.

At the Port’s additional listening session last week, Brian Davis, vice chair of the Burien Airport Committee, said supporters of the expansion have failed to address concerns raised by residents and officials from the airport’s neighboring cities.

“The fenceline cities pay a disproportionate price for the economic growth that brings the airlines and business associations and elected officials from farther-flung municipalities through these doors clamoring for more,” Davis said.

He called on the Port to more directly acknowledge and address the continuing effects of airport growth.

“It is, however, this commission’s and agency’s duty to acknowledge the harm and to respond far more assertively than you have,” Davis advised the Port Commissioners.

Davis also pointed to a recent public town hall hosted by U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, where Smith emphasized the importance of direct conversation.

“None of this ever gets fixed until people talk with each other,” Smith said, as recalled by Davis.

Davis told The Highline Journal that the Port’s listening session gave residents a rare opportunity to speak directly with commissioners, who normally listen to formal public comments from the dais without responding.

“When you’re standing there in the gallery just talking, the conversations take on a completely different tone,” Davis said.

Although the listening session has passed, residents can still put their concerns, experiences and proposed solutions into the official environmental record.

Comments do not need to be long or technical. Residents can describe how airport operations affect their homes, health, schools, streets or neighborhoods. They can also identify issues they believe the environmental review did not adequately address and request additional study, protections or mitigation.

The cities of SeaTac, Burien and Des Moines have prepared issue summaries, presentation materials and a sample comment letter. SeaTacNoise.Info also offers a comment starter for residents who are unsure where to begin.

How to comment

Comments must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20.

• Email: SAMP@portseattle.org
• Online: Sea-Tac Airport SAMP website
• Review the DEIS: Available SAMP materials

Comments may also be mailed to:

Steve Rybolt
Aviation Environment and Sustainability
Port of Seattle
P.O. Box 68727
Seattle, WA 98168

Mailed comments must be postmarked by 5 p.m. Aug. 20.

The Port’s decisions could shape airport operations and neighboring communities for decades. If you want your concerns considered, now is the time to put them on the record.