[EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written and submitted by a verified resident. It represents the opinion of the author, and does not necessarily reflect the views of South King Media or its staff.]
Port Commission Meeting Alert
The Port of Seattle has submitted a disappointing airport expansion proposal—which forecasts a 30 per cent increase in flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport—for review under Washington state environmental laws. A public comment period on the proposal runs until July 21.
The so-called Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) projects more than 1,500 takeoffs and landings per day by 2038. In its filing, the Port acknowledges a number of adverse impacts, including increased noise and air pollution, but argues most do not meet regulatory thresholds that would require the Port to correct or compensate for those problems.
The Port’s proposal is now under review by municipal officials, community organizations and individuals in cities adjacent to the airport. Staff will brief the Port Commission at an open public meeting in the airport terminal at Noon on Tuesday.
The SeaTac Airport Community Coalition for Justice (STACC4J) is encouraging residents to attend the commission meeting. It is also circulating a petition calling for an extension in the public comment period from 60 days to 90. That information is here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/1439691/188214039864673794
The airport watchdog Sea-Tac Noise.Info also offers a variety of information and resources for responding to the Port’s proposal: https://seatacnoise.info/samp-sepa-60-day-public-comment-period-opens/
Under the master plan, neighboring cities and their residents will continue to pay a disproportionate price for airport growth that benefits the entire Puget Sound region. Now would be a great time for folks to weigh in.
– Brian Davis
Burien
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We are already hearing more overhead planes over Burien due to planes attempting to land and ordered to “Go Around” due to congestion.
This means flying west over Burien towards Vashon Island and going around for another attempt at landing.
By increasing air traffic by 30% “Go Arounds” will become more and more frequent and noisy over Burien.
Not only will you be wiping more black soot off your outdoor spaces but the noise and frequency will be come burdensome.
Please don’t just shrug it off. Please make your voices heard. This is likely to have many consequences.
Your home may not sell as easily or for as much as you assume in the future due to impact of the increased traffic noise and therefore the desirability of the area.
It has impacts on the schools and who chooses to move here and be our neighbors and part of our community.
PLEASE WRITE AGAINST EXPANSION
PLEASE CALL WHEN YOU HEAR PLANES
Airport Noise Complaint Line: 206 787-5393 or
800 826-1147
Tell them you wanted it logged as a complaint.
SeaTac ( Port of Seattle) makes many promises…orginallly promised the 3rd runway would be for small aircraft only!!!!
If we go quietly into the night and ignore this, it may our last quiet nights!
I am not looking forward to more air traffic, but times are changing. I grew up in this area and lived with the air traffic noise. Later in life I found the home I wanted and even though in the air traffic area, I chose to live here. Lighten up people, the noise is here to stay and batteries don’t fly planes!!!!
We were watching a HGTV program last night the home buyer had 2 house to choose from to purchase and have remodeled. 1st home was smaller than wanted but I a nice neighborhood the 2nd was larger already remodeled but close to LAX airport and its flightpath which house do you think the buyer chose?
People have choices you do not have to or are forced to live near an airport SEATAC Airport has been in existence for 80 going on 81 years so it is not like you didn’t know it was close-by. Or let us shut it down and whenever you need to fly somewhere or having family come visit there’s always PDX.
Airport needs to compensate citizens with updated “airport package” – new soundproof siding and windows. The previously installed windows are getting old.