The Cities of Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac Raise Concerns Over Federal Decision on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects
On September 26, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed their National Environmental Policy Act review of the Port of Seattle’s Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near-Term Projects. Based on the review, the FAA approved a Final Environmental Assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for 31 proposed SAMP Near-Term Projects at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
As the jurisdictions most immediately impacted by airport operations, Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac have previously expressed shared concerns that the Draft Environmental Assessment failed to adequately consider and document environmental impacts.
A preliminary review of the FAA’s findings appears to indicate that these comments were inadequately addressed in the Final Environmental Assessment and the FONSI/ROD. These findings are also likely to directly impact the upcoming State Environmental Policy Act review process.
The Cities of Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac have determined that it is in their best interest to coordinate review, analysis, response, and legal action concerning the environmental review process. All three Cities have entered into an interlocal agreement and have retained legal counsel to ensure shared concerns are fairly represented. The Cities will be represented by the firm Leech Tishman regarding the federal review process and the firm Ogden Murphy Wallace regarding state review process. A Petition for Review of the FAA’s order was submitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on behalf of all three Cities on November 24, 2025.
The Cities recognize the importance of the airport for the local and regional economy. While there is a clear need to address increasing efficiency, capacity, and safety of airport operations, the Cities take very seriously the protection of their residents’ health and well-being of their residents. This action is meant to ensure that the public’s health and safety are protected when decisions are made that will impact the environment of the communities surrounding the airport.
By continuing to directly address airport impacts and advocate for community members and the environment, this partnership is also creating a new opportunity to find collaborative solutions that equitably meet the needs of the Port, neighboring jurisdictions, and the communities within them.
The Cities look forward to continuing this work and keeping community members updated along the way.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Devin Chicras
City of Burien Communications and Public Engagement Manager
[email protected]
Bonnie Wilkins
City of Des Moines Director of Administrative Services
[email protected]
David Inman
City of SeaTac Acting Communications Manager
[email protected]
About the City of Burien
The City of Burien is a vibrant and creative community where the residents embrace diversity, celebrate arts and culture, promote vitality, and treasure the environment. For more information, visit burienwa.gov.
About the City of Des Moines
Des Moines is a waterfront community committed to maintaining a safe, sustainable environment, while ensuring a high quality of life for all to live, work and play. For more information, visit desmoineswa.gov.
About the City of SeaTac
The City of SeaTac is a thriving, culturally and economically diverse community of 32,000 residents, with an excellent park system plus an attractive and convenient portal to the wonderful activities and destinations of the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit seatacwa.gov.