Announcements

Detailed Noise Contours available

Port and FAA sign Letter of Agreement on Runway Use at SEA-TAC

Contact Information

Stan Shepherd
Airport Noise Programs Manager
Port of Seattle
P.O. Box 68727
Seattle, WA 98168

Rob Adams
Part 150 Project Manager
Landrum and Brown
11279 Cornell Park Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45242

Welcome to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Part 150 Study

The Port of Seattle is working with Landrum & Brown to update its Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), last completed in 2002.

The last plan prepared official Noise Exposure Maps for Sea-Tac for 1998 and 2004 conditions. That study also resulted in a number of amended or new measures to help reduce aircraft noise in the communities near Sea-Tac. Some of those programs included developing a 'fly-quiet' program that encourages airlines to follow the procedures and to choose quieter aircraft to operate at the airport. Another element of the last study was some additional sound insulation and acquisition measures for areas impacted by aircraft noise.

About this Study

The Part 150 Study process is designed to identify noise incompatibilities surrounding an airport, and to recommend measures to both correct existing incompatibilities and to prevent future incompatibilities. For Part 150 Study purposes, noise incompatibilities are defined as residences or public use noise-sensitive facilities (libraries, churches, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals) within the 65 Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) noise contour.

The purpose for conducting a Part 150 Study is to develop a balanced and cost-effective plan for reducing current noise impacts from the airport's operations, where practical, and to limit additional impacts in the future.

Among the general goals and objectives addressed by a Part 150 Study are the following:

  • To reduce, where feasible, existing and forecasted noise levels over existing noise-sensitive land uses;
  • To reduce new noise-sensitive developments near the airport;
  • To mitigate, where feasible, adverse impacts in accordance with Federal guidelines;
  • To provide mitigation measures that are sensitive to the needs of the community and its stability; and
  • To be consistent, where feasible, with local land use planning and development policies.

Specific goals for this Part 150 Study include the following:

  • To address noise issues related to the third runway;
  • To conduct the process in an open and engaging way; and
  • To look for opportunities that have not been thought of versus re-visiting old issues.

This study will identify existing and future flight corridors, develop aircraft noise exposure maps for current and future conditions, evaluate air traffic control procedures that could be implemented to reduce noise exposure over residential areas, consider land use controls that could be established to reduce future incompatible land uses from being developed within high noise areas, and evaluate means to mitigate noise impacts within high noise exposure areas.

It is anticipated that the Part 150 Study will be completed in late 2011. After completion, it will be submitted to the FAA. The review period by the FAA is typically 6-9 months.