Des Moines joins Burien and SeaTac in ILA to coordinate NEPA/SEPA review and hire legal counsel

The Des Moines City Council voted Nov. 13 to approve an interlocal agreement (ILA) with the cities of Burien and SeaTac to coordinate technical and legal review of the SeaTac Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) and to jointly retain legal counsel for NEPA and SEPA evaluations.

Community Development Director Rebecca Deming said the renewed ILA adds shared legal services and clarifies cost‑sharing language. Based on current population allocations, Des Moines’ estimated share of an initial legal budget for NEPA review is about $96,000; Deming said the ILA includes a low‑cost initial step: filing an initial petition to preserve appeal rights, estimated at roughly $1,000. She emphasized there is no commitment to the full appeal expenses without further council authorization.

Deming said the airport advisory committee recommended moving forward with the ILA; staff will return with a legal strategy and cost estimates before incurring significant additional expense. Councilmembers debated timing and scope, raised concerns about the federal NEPA process, and asked staff to clarify previously allocated funds and remaining balances; staff noted roughly $69,000 had been previously set aside and about $9,000 spent to date, leaving roughly $60,000 remaining from earlier efforts.

The council approved the ILA and authorized the city manager to sign in substantially the attached form by unanimous vote.

Why it matters: the agreement coordinates small cities’ technical and legal responses to federal environmental review for airport planning that could have long‑term impacts on flight operations and local communities.