Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP)
Near-Term Projects
Environmental Review
Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP)
Near-Term Projects
Environmental Review
UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 29, 2022
SAMP Near-Term Projects Environmental Review Schedule Update
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Port of Seattle (Port) have determined that additional time is needed to complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for the SAMP NTP Environmental Assessment (EA). Due to delays from COVID-19 and other factors, the proposed opening of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects (SAMP NTP) has shifted from 2027 to 2032. The FAA and Port have updated the schedule for the SAMP NTP EA and expect to publish the draft NEPA EA in late 2024.
The Port continues work to complete the environmental review of the SAMP NTP. Once the NEPA environmental review is final, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental review will follow. Commission authorization is required to initiate work on individual projects.
Background
What Is The Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP)?
The Central Puget Sound region is expected to grow by another one million people by 2035. The Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) is the blueprint for changes at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to meet future forecasted demand.
The SAMP includes Near-Term Projects for SEA that are planned for construction upon completion of the environmental review and Commission approval. The SAMP also includes a Long-Term Vision for SEA which includes projects that are not ripe for environmental review at this time, as they require further study and are not reasonably foreseeable. Before any of the Long-Term Vision projects are implemented, additional planning studies and the appropriate environmental review process will be conducted.
The Port and FAA are conducting an extensive study about potential environmental impacts of SAMP Near-Term Projects (NTP), in compliance with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), which requires public involvement.
The Port and FAA will post information about public comment periods as the public comment period approaches, inviting the public to provide input on topics that will be addressed in the environmental review document, the potential environmental effects of the NTP, and reasonable alternatives to the planned NTP.
Once the NEPA environmental review is final, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental review will follow.
A complete list of the categories can be found by clicking here for SEPA and here for NEPA.
Purpose and Need
The What and the Why
Purpose and Need statements are an essential part of the environmental review process. The need defines the issue to be solved. The purpose is the solution to the problem. The purpose and need will be used to guide the development of alternatives to be studied during environmental review.
PURPOSE
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is an essential transportation resource serving as the primary air
transportation facility for the region. The purpose of Near-Term Projects is to improve operational efficiency, accommodate future growth, and to
provide more capacity for fuel, including sustainable aviation fuel.
NEED
Five primary needs for the Near-Term Projects have been identified:
- Insufficient passenger terminal capacity to accommodate projected passenger levels efficiently
- Insufficient facilities to accommodate projected cargo levels efficiently
- Non-compliance with Federal Aviation Administration airport design guidelines
- Excessive aircraft delays on the airfield
- Lack of fuel storage to meet projected demand and to meet Port of Seattle’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel initiative
Proposed Action
SAMP Near-Term Projects
The Proposed Action is to implement the Near-Term Projects identified in the SAMP, which include approximately 30 projects that will improve efficiency, safety, access to the airport, and support facilities for airlines and the airport.
Key elements of the Proposed Action include construction of a second terminal, a centralized maintenance campus, off-airport cargo handling facilities, realignment of airport roadways, and expansion of the fueling facilities.