PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.      4h 
ACTION ITEM 
Date of Meeting     August 9, 2016 
DATE:    August 1, 2016 
TO:      Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:   Michael Ehl, Director, Airport Operations 
Wayne Grotheer, Director, Aviation Project Management Group 
SUBJECT:  Flight Corridor Safety Program  Phase I 
Amount of This Request:       $1,831,000 
Est. Total Phase 1 Project Cost:    $2,731,000 

ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to advertise and execute a major
works construction contract for the Flight Corridor Safety Program Phase I at Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport for an additional $1,831,000 and for a total project cost of $2,731,000. 
SYNOPSIS 
This project is part of a program to remove obstructions consisting of trees and other vegetation at and
around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Removal of the obstructions will ensure the Airport
complies with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations for airport operators to protect flight
operations into and out of the airport and assure that objects obstructing approach and departure areas
are removed. This request adds more budget to the earlier authorization that initiated design and
construction. The need for additional budget is due to subsequent field investigations having identified
more obstructions than identified in the initial obstruction survey and the determination that there is a
greater need for replanting.
This program will replace trees and other vegetation with compatible species to prevent future
obstructions in the flight corridor. The program is planned to be accomplished in 3 phases over the next
three years ending in 2019. Environmental best management practices will be implemented to minimize
environmental impacts. Trees will be replanted at a minimum of a one to one ratio and achieve no net
loss of trees per a request by the Commission. When applicable, the Port is required to meet revegetation
standards set forth by the local jurisdictions where obstructions are located.
BACKGROUND 
Obstructions are any objects penetrating FAA-designated approach and departure paths at or around an
airport. Obstruction studies and the related publication of obstruction charts were completed every ten
years by the FAA until approximately 1994. In preparing for the activation of the Third Runway, the
FAA performed an obstruction analysis in 2005 that led to the removal of trees in 2006-2008. An aerial
Template revised May 30, 2013.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
August 1, 2016 
Page 2 of 6 
obstruction analysis was conducted by the Port in 2015 that identified approximately 1,600 obstructions 
consisting of trees and other vegetation.
The Port has developed a comprehensive Flight Corridor Safety Program that will address the removal
of obstructions in several phases and span multiple years. An advantage of a phased delivery approach is
that it allows the Port to apply lessons learned from doing the project on our own property prior to
obstruction removal on properties owned by others.
Phase I: 2016/2017 - Port-Owned property 
Phase II: 2017/2018  Public agency-owned properties including Highline Public School District,
Washington State Department of Transportation, Seattle Public Utilities and public right of way 
within the cities of Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac; and commercial properties 
Phase III: 2018/2019 - Residential properties 
The Port has initiated the environmental review process for the removal of obstructions, which includes
the opportunity for community input. This environmental review is in accordance with federal, state,
and local requirements and will ensure that the Port evaluates alternatives and potential environmental
impacts of the program. A re-vegetation plan is being developed that will minimize future obstructions,
identify planting requirements and consider various approaches to re-planting which may include
collaborating with other organizations. The work is time sensitive and will need to be complete by
March 1, 2017 in order to comply with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and protect nesting birds between
March 1 and July 15 annually. 
To support effective communication and transparency with communities affected by the Flight Corridor
Safety Program, an outreach and communication plan has been developed. The plan includes targeted
communication and collaboration with the cities of SeaTac, Burien, and Des Moines; Highline Public
Schools; Seattle Public Utilities; and WSDOT. Initial briefings with representatives from the cities of
SeaTac, Burien, and Des Moines and the Highline School District have already been completed along
with City of SeaTac City Council briefing.  The Airport's February 2016 community newsletter,
Airmail, was used to inform residents within the airport communities about the program, its impacts, and
its phasing, the newsletter also encouraged residents to attend a public open house about the program on
April 11, 2016.
The funds being requested are needed to complete the first phase of construction for the overall
program.  This project work  will complete the environmental process, design documents, and
construction for the first phase of the program.   Port staff will return to the Commission for
authorization of the subsequent phases of the program. 
PROJECT JUSTIFICATION AND DETAILS 
This program is necessary to meet the Aviation Division's goals of ensuring safe and secure aircraft
operations. The Port must remove obstructions to naviga ble airspace to meet regulatory requirements
and continue operating a world class airport. 

Revised March 28, 2016

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
August 1, 2016 
Page 3 of 6 
Justification for this program falls under the following categories: 
1.  Federal Aviation Administration Requirements for Airport Operators to Control Obstructions 
a.  Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 139, Certification of Airports 
b.  Advisory Circular (AC) AC 150/5300.13A change 1, Maintenance of obstacle clearance
surfaces 
c.  Grant Assurance 20 "Hazard Removal and Mitigation" 
d.  Grant Assurance 21 "Compatible Land Use" 
2.  State Requirement for Airport Operators to Control Obstructions
a.  RCW 14.12.020 "Airport hazards contrary to public interest" 
3.  Airport's Strategic Goals and Objectives 
a.  Strategic Goal No. 1, Operate a world-class international airport by: Ensuring safe and secure
operations 
Project Objectives 
Program objectives are as follows: 
Remove obstructions to facilitate safe aircraft operations 
Communicate with transparency to the surrounding communities 
Comply with local, state, and federal regulatory requirements 
Revegetate with low-growth vegetation and re-plant trees in appropriate locations 
Prevent any net loss of vegetation 
Scope of Work 
Scope of work for Phase I of the program includes removing trees/vegetation on and around the Airport.
This scope also includes environmental review and permitting in compliance with applicable federal,
state, and local requirements. The work includes installation of temporary erosion and sediment control
devices, removal of trees/vegetation, grading, revegetation, and restoration.
Schedule 
Commission Authorization                             3rd Quarter   2016 
Execute Construction Contract                             4th Quarter   2016 
Construction Completion                               1st Quarter   2017 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Budget/Authorization Summary              Capital     Expense   Total Project 
Original Budget                            $0     $900,000     $900,000 
Current budget increase                        $0    $1,831,000    $1,831,000 
Revised budget                            $0    $2,731,000    $2,731,000 
Previous Authorizations                       $0     $900,000     $900,000 
Current request for authorization                  $0    $1,831,000    $1,831,000 
Total Authorizations, including this request           $0    $2,731,000    $2,731,000 
Remaining budget to be authorized               $0          $0          $0 
Total Estimated Project Cost                    $0    $2,731,000    $2,731,000 
Revised March 28, 2016

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
August 1, 2016 
Page 4 of 6 
Project Cost Breakdown                     This Request       Total Project 
Design Phase                              $212,000          $558,000 
Construction Phase                          $1,506,000         $2,008,000 
State & Local Taxes                           $113,000          $165,000 
Total                                      $1,831,000         $2,731,000 
Budget Status and Source of Funds 
The Flight Corridor Safety Program costs are expense costs. $150,000 was budgeted in 2015 to develop
environmental documents to support the program.  $750,000 was included in the Aviation Division's
budget for 2016.  The additional funds needed in 2016 are available from within the Capital
Development Departments' expense budgets. Future annual budgets will include provision for the rest of
the program. This authorization request completes the authorization for Phase I of a three phase
program that will be completed in 2019. 
The full cost of the program will be included in the Airfield Movement Area cost center in the year the
costs are incurred and recovered from the airlines through increased landing fees. As such, all costs will
be paid for out of the Airport Development Fund. If all costs were incurred in 2016, the incremental
impact on the airline cost per enplaned passenger would be approximately $.12. However, as discussed
above, some of the costs will be spread into 2017. 
STRATEGIES AND OBJECTIVES 
The Flight Corridor Safety Program supports the Century Agenda goal to advance this region as a
leading tourism destination and business gateway by meeting the region's air transportation needs. This
program also supports the Aviation Division's strategic goals of operating a world-class international
airport and providing extraordinary customer service. 
One of the Century Agenda goals is to use the Port's influence as an institution to promote small
business growth and workforce development. For the major construction contract, Port staff will
coordinate with the Economic Development Division to provide opportunities for small business
utilization within the contract. 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1  Status quo, constrain Phase I project scope to authorized budget 
Cost Implications: $900,000 (current authorization) 
Pros: 
(1)  No additional expense funds would be used in 2016 
Cons: 
(1) Reduces Phase I scope of work 
(2) Phase I work would be accomplished over a number of years as funding becomes available. 

Revised March 28, 2016

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
August 1, 2016 
Page 5 of 6 
(3) FAA could consider the Airport to be non-compliant with Federal rules and regulations.
The FAA would have a number of options on how to address the non-compliance. The
FAA's options would include: 
(a) Consider approach and/or departure procedures to be unsafe, and limit their use; 
(b) Consider approach and/or departure procedures to be unsafe, and turn them off; 
(c) Limit or eliminate FAA grant funding until the obstructions are removed. FAA
entitlement grant funding is estimated to be ~$6.6 Million in 2016 and up to ~$7.1
Million in 2021. 
(4) Port would not be in compliance with Federal and State safety requirements regarding
obstructions to navigable airspace. 
(5) Airlines may be required to take weight penalties and/or not serve certain markets, as
aircraft would have to be lighter to take-off over the obstructions. 
(6) Does not meet the Airport's strategic goal of ensuring safe and secure operations. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 2  Partially increase funds and constrain Phase I project scope to budget 
Cost Implications: $900,000 - $2,731,000 
Pros: 
(1) Allows more work to occur than Alternative No.1 
Cons: 
(1) Reduces Phase I scope of work 
(2) Phase I work would be accomplished over a number of years as funding becomes available. 
(3) FAA could consider the Airport to be non-compliant with Federal rules and regulations. The
FAA would have a number of options on how to address the non-compliance. The FAA's
options would include: 
(a) Consider approach and/or departure procedures to be unsafe, and limit their use; 
(b) Consider approach and/or departure procedures to be unsafe, and turn them off; 
(c) Limit or eliminate FAA grant funding until the obstructions are removed. FAA
entitlement funding is estimated to be ~$6.6 Million in 2016 and up to ~$7.1 Million
in 2021. 
(4) Port would not be in compliance with Federal and State safety requirements regarding
obstructions to navigable airspace. 
(5) Airlines may be required to take weight penalties and/or not serve certain markets, as aircraft
would have to be lighter to take-off over the obstructions. 
(6) Does not meet the Airport's strategic goal of ensuring safe and secure operations. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 

Revised March 28, 2016

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
August 1, 2016 
Page 6 of 6 

Alternative 3  Maintain Phase I project scope and increase funding 
Cost Implications: $2,731,000 
Pros: 
(1) Begins a manageable program over an approximate 3-year period to meet FAA and state
regulations to remove identified obstructions. The FAA concurs with this approach. 
(2) Allows the Port to apply lessons-learned from Phase I to the subsequent phases. 
(3) All obstructions located on Port-owned properties will be removed by Q1 2017. 
(4) Delivery would be consistent with the Port's message in outreach to the public and local and
state agencies over the past months. 
(5) The Port will demonstrate that removing obstructions is a high priority for the Port by
removing all Port-owned obstructions in the first phase. 
(6) Meets the Airport's strategic goals and objectives such as ensuring safe and secure
operations. 
Cons: 
(1) Additional expense funds are required in 2016 and 2017. 
(2) The Airport will not fully be in FAA compliance until all the obstructions are removed 
(projected completion 2019). This approach has been agreed to by the FAA. 
This is the recommended alternative. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
Obstruction Maps 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
February 9, 2016  Commission authorized to design, advertise and execute a major works
construction contract in the amount of $750,000 for a total estimate project cost of $900,000. 
November 24, 2015   Commission briefed on the Flight Corridor Safety Obstruction
Management program. The briefing provided an overview of state and federal
laws/requirements, and staff's recommendation of a phased delivery approach to complete the
program. 




Revised March 28, 2016