City staff updated the committee on the Port of Seattle and Federal Aviation Administration planning process for the SeaTac Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) timelines. The city reiterated its focus on noise, health and community impacts.

A staff presenter (Bill) summarized the federal NEPA outcome reported to the committee (the FAA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact for the national-level review as presented to the committee) and explained that the State SEPA review is the next step in 2026; the ports certification and final action will follow public review. The presenter noted the airports project scope in the SAMP includes 19 additional gates, a new passenger terminal and multiple airfield and cargo improvements, which the presenter said will increase noise and health impacts for neighborhoods under some flight paths. As one technical detail of local consequence, staff described a proposed change to the runway approach angle in one plan element (from 2.75 to roughly 3 degrees), which staff said will change the flight path over parts of the city and could alter noise exposure.

Committee members discussed next steps. Staff said the city will monitor and participate in the SEPA process, attend port hearings and submit comments on noise, air emissions and health impacts; staff recommended continued coordination with other municipal partners and regional stakeholders. Members asked staff to obtain technical details about how the planned approach-angle change affects noise exposure over Steel Lake and other neighborhoods and to continue outreach and information for residents. The committee agreed staff should continue to track the SAMP/NEPA/SEPA process and report updates to the council.

What happens next: The City will participate in the SEPA phase with a 45-day public comment period, host public meetings while the state process is open, and coordinate comments and technical requests of the port and FAA on noise and health impacts.