The Port of Seattle Commission heard sharply divided testimony Thursday, July 9, as elected officials, residents, labor organizations, business groups and environmental advocates weighed in on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) near–term projects Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Sea-Tac International Airport.
The special public hearing focused exclusively on comments for the environmental review of the proposed airport expansion. Speakers from Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac repeatedly urged commissioners to strengthen mitigation for airport adjacent communities, while business organizations, airlines and labor unions argued the expansion is necessary to meet growing regional demand and support the economy.
Burien Leaders, Residents Share Thoughts
“This expansion will exacerbate public health dangers that correspond with high intensity aircraft traffic,” Burien Mayor Sarah Moore told commissioners. “Your obligations also include protecting the people on whose backs and in the air above whose homes you are building this wonderful success.”
Moore added that a 30% increase in flight operations at Sea-Tac Airport will have significant negative impacts on the citizens of Burien and on the city itself…