Local author's book on Sea-Tac 3rd runway issued

Debi Wagner's book on the fight against the third runway at Sea-Tac Airport has just been released, with a book signing set at Burien Books, on 5 March 2011, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The bookstore is located at 824 S.W. 152nd Street, Burien 98166

Ms Wagner has been active on third-runway issues from 'way back, having been active in Citizens Against Sea-Tac Expansion, the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs, & other groups as well.

According to an announcement from the author, the book is available at: Burien Books, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Trafford. For info, e-mail dwagner007@msn.com or call Burien Books at 206.244.1422.

Additions to RCAA Library

Airports create health hazards & other environmental challenges.  A recent addition to the RCAA library calls attention to the risks to health that are associated with aircraft noise.  A second new publication, from the US GAO, reviews the actions of airport operators in dealing with health & other environmental issues that seem to arise almost every time an airport seeks to expand.

Skeptics who deny that aircraft noise has serious effects on human health should spend a thoughtful hour or so, perusing "A Review of the Literature Related to Potential  Health Effects if Aircraft Noise", published in July by a joint effort of the FAA, NASA, & Transport Canada.  We recommend this to anyone concerned about aircraft noise but unsure of how serious the problem is.

The GAO report was published (on the web) a few days ago.  It's turgid reading, replete with abbreviations & acronyms (mostly unfamiliar), but it does confirm that environmental issues (noise high on the list) are contributing to delays in major expansion at airports all over the U.S. The report leaves a feeling that much was left unsaid, & at least one reader has told us that it seems aimed at placating those who feel that airports aren't doing anything about the environment.  The GAO's conclusion is that most are doing something, & the inference is "Oh, goody!". But whether it's enough, or is actually relevant ... that really is what is important but isn't addressed candidly.  The title is a guide to the mindset of the writers:  "Systematically Addressing Environmental Impacts and Community Concerns Can Help Airports Reduce Project Delays", GAO-10-50.  It is assumed that all airport projects are worthy & should not be delayed.  If an airport is seen to be "addressing" environmental issues, projects should be able to move forward more briskly.

One finds at p. 37 of the GAO report some discussion of Federal legislation that had escaped RCAA's notice, "The Aviation Streamlining Approval Process Act of 2003".  We know nothing about this legislation.

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Although RCAA was consulted by the GAO team while they were doing their research, the report does not go into detail about either Sea-Tac or Boeing Field, & RCAA's views are not reflected in the report.  Not that that is important.

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To borrow arrange to borrow a copy of either report, e-mail the RCAA office.  

Flim-Flam Artists at Work

A comment on the Part 150 noise study at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

The work of the Part 150 noise-study team is almost over. The basic contents of the final report are already available in the study team’s presentation on 29 July to the so-called Technical Review Committee. (Available at the special website for the study.) Even a casual look at slide 32 in that presentation will show how very little is being proposed for noise relief or noise mitigation. This is not much result for a study that will cost more than a million dollars.

The really interesting part of this process is the "flim-flam" that has gone on. As any good magician knows, success comes by getting the audience looking one way while he is working in the other direction. 

Almost all of the public meetings/process were directed at the way the Part 150 study was being conducted. While this was going on, the study consultants, Landrum & Brown, were working outside of the public view or review on the actual subjects of the study. 

In July they published the "2009 noise contour maps", the "Aviation planning forecast", and the outline of the "Noise Compatibility Plan". These are the required basics of a Part 150 process.

A Part 150 study is supposed to look at NOISE REDUCTION, NOISE MITIGATION, and LAND USE PLANNING. The noise-study team have successfully completed a Part 150 study without touching any of these topics.

Next Noise Workshop Scheduled for 27 October

The study team for the Sea-Tac noise study has announced that the next public workshop will be held on Wednesday, 27 October, at Mt Rainier High School, in Des Moines.  See below for details.

Since the last workshop (9 June), the study team has prepared air-traffic forecasts for the Airport (with no public input or participation).  The traffic forecasts have been used to prepare noise-exposure maps (with no public input or participation).  The study team is also preparing maps to show noise-sensitive areas & facilities (again with no public input or participation).  All these maps will presumably be available at the workshop.  

The study team has, so far, rejected requests to extend the noise mapping out to the 55 YDNL contour.  The work is restricted to the small area within the 65 YDNL contour.  The study team calculates that there are 6.30 square miles within that contour.  Almost half (2.96 square miles) is within the Airport itself.  The study team has strongly indicated that it will not propose any mitigation or noise-relieving measures for non-Airport areas outside the 65 YDNL contour.  In other words, mitigation & noise relief is under consideration for only 3.34 square miles very close to the Airport.  Too bad about the noise in Federal Way, in the Shorewood neighborhood of Burien, in other parts of the greater Highline area, & in Beacon Hill & Rainier Valley in Seattle, & points north & south.

The text of the announcement follows:

Third Part 150 Study Public Workshop Set for October 27th Part 150 Study also an Agenda Item at September 22nd Highline Forum

 

The community is invited to attend the third in a series of public workshops for Sea-Tac Airport's Part 150 Noise Study on October 27th at Mount Rainier High School (22450 19th Ave. S.) in Des Moines.  The program is from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.   At the workshop, the new airport-area noise exposure "contour" maps showing neighborhoods currently affected by noise and those that will be affected by noise in the future will be unveiled and discussed.  As with the last two workshops, small group working sessions will be utilized to foster conversation and actively develop solutions to reducing airport noise.   On September 22nd, the members of the Highline Forum will also discuss the Part 150 Noise Study at the City of Des Moines Activity Center - 2045 South 216th Street, Des Moines.  The meeting begins at 2:30 and the public is invited to observe.  The Highline Forum includes the southwest King County communities of Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Tukwila and Federal Way and the Highline School District and Port of Seattle. Please visit the dedicated Part 150 Study website for all documentation and reports connected to the study including the comprehensive summary from the June 9th public workshop.

 

 

Sea-Tac Airport Can't But Boeing Can

Since the start of the noise study at Sea-Tac Airport, our organization has asked for air-traffic forecasts for the Airport for the next 20 years.  We've been told by the study team (led by the consultancy Landrum & Brown) that such forecasts are next to impossible.   Never mind that for purposes of justifying Sea-Tac expansion the same consultants (& the Airport) were able to make 20-year forecasts. For purposes of mitigation, it's just too hard to figure what air travel will do in 20 years.

Well, as it turns out, the Boeing Company has a different view.  The news item below, found in a recent issue of the on-line aviation daily news service, "Airwise", tells us all that Boeing feels quite confident that they can predict the general direction for 20 years to the point that they are willing to go public with estimates of how many passenger aircraft will be needed to meet travel demand. 

Here's something that might help Landrum & Brown to figure it all out -- the main phone number for Boeing's commercial-aircraft division:  206-655-1131.

Now the news item:

------------------------------------------------------ Boeing Sees USD$700 Bln Market In North America ------------------------------------------------------ September 3, 2010 Boeing has reiterated that it expects North American airlines
to take delivery of about 7,200 new planes over the next 20 years
at a value of about USD$700 billion. Details: http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1283497136.html 

Who gets the credit, really?

Those of you fortunate enough to receive news releases from the Port of Seattle will want to take a look at today's story about the Airport winning an award for its environmental program, oh boy!

It would be interesting to have an accurate accounting from the Port, detailing how many tens of  millions the Port spent fighting against the environmental requirements that it now boasts about.  Legal fees, consultants' fees, staff time ... all paid for with public money, too.   The story is far too long to tell in a blog posting.  But for sheer stubbornness in defying environmental law, THAT'S the award the Port should have received.

Will Port spend own money for noise relief?

Does the Port of Seattle have $73 million in Airport money that could be used for noise relief?

When dealing with the Port of Seattle about Airport-related noise, the Port's consistent message has been that it will not, cannot, or is not allowed to spend its own money.  We recall former Commissioner Paige Miller insisting (for years) that no Port money could be used to help with the noise in the buildings of the Highline School District.  FAA money or nothing.  In the end, the Port agreed to provide $50 million for school insulation & rebuilding from tax revenues.

There is, of course, no general legal barrier to the Port District spending its own money (tax revenue, net profits from its various lines of business) for such things as property buy-outs, insulation of noise-affected homes & schools, investment in real estate, buying abandoned railway right-of-way, helping to fund a new South Park bridge, &c.  There are some restrictions on use of money from direct operation of the Airport.  But it is our understanding that what are called "non-aero" profits are free of FAA-imposed constraints (as are general revenue from property taxes).

So the "Miller Doctrine" (FAA money or nothing) was not based on legalities. Maybe it was nothing but stinginess.

A staff briefing to the Port Commission on 17 August revealed that the Airport expects to make net operating income (profits) on "non-aero" business of $73 million this year (2010).  The Port District needs to be very clear & straightforward with the community about how this money can be used.  If it is legally not available for noise relief, let's see an understandable explanation (not the "Miller Doctrine" re-stated).  Otherwise, the study team for the Part 150 noise study, & the interested public should feel free to make recommendations for noise relief actually paid for by the Port.

+ + +

The staff briefing (in 36 Powerpoint slides) can be downloaded from the Port's website.  The "non-aero NOI" is discussed on Slide 8.  Go to 

http://www.portseattle.org/about/organization/commission/meetingagenda.shtml

Then click on the agenda for 17 August, & then find agenda item 7 b & click on PowerPoint. That will give you the slideshow.

II-010-008-D

Dioxin study at Lora Lake Apartments

The Department of Ecology has just released its reply to public comments about the study of contamination at the site of the former Lora Lake Apartments in Burien.  This document (known as a "Responsiveness Summary") may be borrowed by interested parties from the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs. The summary will give readers a  lot of background on the environmental issues, & on the studies that are planned to resolve (one hopes) the complex problem of chemical contamination at the site.  

The Port of Seattle acquired the property as part of the third-runway project.  The apartments were felt to be unacceptably close to the third runway & its noise. So, the Port bought the facility & closed it.  In acquiring the land, the Port also acquired legal responsibility for pre-existing contamination, which dates back to a time before the apartments were built.  The site has been described as having the worst dioxin-contamination problem of any place in the State.   There is fear that the contamination on site may have migrated toward or into Lora Lake itself.  The lake is a source for Miller Creek.

E-mail RCAA at to arrange to borrow the report.

Job numbers revisited

Earlier today, we posted a sarcastic comment about the number of jobs (3,000) that, according to the Port of Seattle, have been created by construction of the Rental Car Facility at Sea-Tac Airport.   Readers should be aware that the Port now advises us that the 3,000 jobs are actually construction & construction-related "jobs".  

When the facility is completed, in a few months,  we have no doubt that those "jobs" will be gone.

The Port further advises that the new facility will have between 300 & 400 permanent employess -- not of the Port but of tenant companies.  For further information, visit

http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/construction/rentalcar.shtml

Noise-measurement workshop, 29 July

Landrum & Brown, lead consultants for the noise study at Sea-Tac Airport, have announced  that a "Technical Noise Workshop", featuring Vince Mestre, PE, will be held on Thursday, 29 July at the Beijing Room in the main terminal at the Airport, from 12.30 to 1.30 pm..  

After the formal session of the 9 June noise-study workshop, Mr Mestre met briefly with some of the attendees (including Normandy Park Mayor George Hadley & Burien Councilwoman Rose Clark), to discuss in more depth the noise-modelling & noise-measurement issues that are involved in the study.  This unplanned seminar (if we may call it that) was so informative that Clark & Hadley immediately suggested that Mr Mestre come back to the area for an extended discussion of these issues for the benefit of people interested in the technical details.  Although the request was for an evening meeting on a Wednesday (to accommodate city electeds & senior staff), the study team has chosen a shorter session in the middle of the work day.  

Mayor Hadley has circulated a group of questions that he would like to see addressed -- too extensive for a 'blog' post.  Contact RCAA or Mayor Hadley for a copy.