RCAA Hails ‘No Runway’ Pledge by Port Commissioners
Seattle-area residents welcome, with a sense of relief, the unanimous statement of the Port of Seattle Commission ruling out the possibility of a fourth runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. In a letter dated October 15, 2007 addressed to local governments in the Highline area, the five Port Commissioners unanimously stated that the “Port Commission has no plans for a fourth runway” at the Airport.
Eventually – Why Not Now?
Sea-Tac Ponders Hush House
-- How Simple Things Are
Made Complicated
Nearby communities and RCAA have long sought a hush house (or ground-run-up enclosure) for Sea-Tac Airport. It has been an official planning goal of the Airport itself since at least 1990. It was given a blessing by the public, the Port staff, the Port Commission, and the FAA in the most recent Part 150 (noise) study for the Airport. Yet, to date, not a dime has been committed to the project, there is no target date for starting work, and the Port Commission has done nothing to move it along
Problems of Aviation Growth Now Rest
With State-wide Aviation Planning Council
All the experts agree that there will be a big increase in passenger traffic in Washington in the next 15 or 20 years, overloading the capacity of Washington’s one and only full-service passenger airport, Sea-Tac. The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) has washed its hands of responsibility, saying that this is a State-level problem. The Port of Seattle Commission says that the Port is in no way interested in further expansion at Sea-Tac, period.
Proposed Swap of Boeing Field for Railroad
Right-of-Way--Many Questions Remain
Although neither the Port Commission or the County Council has given approval, King County Executive Ron Sims & outgoing Port CEO Mic Dinsmore have signed a memorandum of understanding to proceed with a multi-party, multi-property swap that would turn over King County International Airport (Boeing Field) to the Port of Seattle
Port Tax Levy
On 20 November, the Port of Seattle Commission voted 3-2 to set the real-property tax levy for 2008 at 22 cents per $1000 of property value, a level intended to bring in $75 million in tax revenues.
Volunteers Turn Out for Creek Cleanup
Between 50 & 60 community volunteers participated on Saturday, October 27, in the first restoration project on Miller Creek. Organized by Dennis Clark, Basin Steward under the Miller-Walker Creek Basin Plan, this is the first of several work parties planned for the Basin.
Footnote on History: Runway Backers Pay Fines
According to the Office of the Attorney General, civil penalties of $125,000 and costs of $15,000 have been paid to the State of Washington by two corporations that made secret and illegal campaign contributions to third-runway supporters in the Des Moines municipal election in 2001
###
Truth in Aviation Available by Email
You can now subscribe to have this newsletter conveniently delivered directly by email. Just click here, and then choose send.
Back issues of Truth in Aviation
Visit our homepage at rcaanews.org... Don't forget to check our What's the Latest Page for updates between newsletters.
Volunteers clean up creeks. See article 6.