Residents are invited to participate in a community meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, from 6 – 7 p.m. at Des Moines City Hall to provide input on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) process.

This will be a combo in-person (at City Hall) and virtual meeting (via Zoom).

City officials emphasize the importance of public feedback in shaping the master plan and ensuring it aligns with the needs and values of the city and its surrounding areas.

“Your participation will help ensure that the plan reflects the needs and values of the city and surrounding areas,” the city said in a statement.

More information about the SAMP process and the meeting can be found on the city’s website at Des Moines SAMP Information.

Residents are encouraged to attend and make their voices heard as the city works to finalize its plans for sustainable development.

Event Details

How to Submit a comment to the Port of Seattle:

The public comment period is open through Dec. 13, 2024. Commenting on a draft EA is an important way for the public to participate in the environmental review process and contribute to the decision-making process. You can submit comments throughout the comment period online, by email, or postal mail.

How to Comment

Members of the public will be able to submit comments throughout the comment period in writing by using the online form, by email, or regular mail. Comments should provide sufficient detail for the agency to understand the commenter’s position and why the issues raised are important to the decision-making process.

Important note: Before including your name, address and telephone number, email or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. 

Click Here to Submit a Comment

  • Email: samp@portseattle.org
  • Mail (must be postmarked by Dec. 13):
    Mr. Steve Rybolt
    Port of Seattle, Aviation Environment and Sustainability
    P.O. Box 68727
    Seattle, WA 98168

Accessing the Document

The FAA’s NEPA draft EA is available online here and will also be available at public libraries and at the SEA Airport Conference Center; including Des Moines Library (21620 11th Ave S., Des Moines, WA 98198). 

Environmental Review Process

An environmental review is a process to assess how projects at Port of Seattle facilities may impact the environment in a variety of categories that include air quality and climate, water resources, biological resources, and noise, among others. If impacts are identified, the analysis evaluates the extent of those impacts, and if required, identifies ways to reduce or avoid them. A project may require both federal and state environmental reviews, but not always both are required for every project

The purpose of an environmental review is to assess the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project before it is undertaken. Key objectives include:

  • Informed decision-making
  • Full transparency and public engagement in the decision-making process
  • Compliance with laws and regulations
  • Identification of ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts

The SAMP NTP environmental review includes 31 proposed projects, which is being conducted to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The FAA is the lead agency for NEPA, and the Port follows their guidance under FAA Order 1050.1F.

Steps in the NEPA Environmental Review Process

The typical environmental assessment process includes:

  1. Developing the purpose and need for the project and determining potential alternatives that provide a solution.
  2. Undertaking scoping to understand agency and public concerns that are then addressed in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation.
  3. Analyzing and documenting the environmental consequences for all alternatives detailed in the NEPA document.
  4. Conducting public meetings through the analysis process to advise and continue to collect input from agencies, the community and general public, including a public meeting or hearing at the issuance of the draft EA document.
  5. Addressing comments on the draft NEPA document, which will aid in the preparation of a final NEPA document.
  6. Ending with either the lead federal agency – in this case, the FAA – issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision or the lead agency determining that an EIS is required.
NEPA

Public comment during the environmental review process is provided during formal comment periods. The purpose of public input during this process is to fully understand the potential impacts related to the proposed projects and consider community concerns before a federal agency makes a final decision.

More information can be found via the city’s website:

https://www.desmoineswa.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=17385088&pageId=20580156