11a. Memo

SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) 2021 Annual Report

COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          11a 
BRIEFING ITEM                            Date of Meeting       March 22, 2022 
DATE:     February 25, 2022 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Lance Lyttle, Managing Director, Aviation Division 
Marco Milanese, Senior Community Engagement Manager, External Relations 
Eric Schinfeld, Senior Federal and International Government Relations Manager,
External Relations 
SUBJECT:  SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) 2021 Annual Report 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The Port of Seattle developed the SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) in 2018 to
enhance cooperation between the Port and the Highline Forum-member cities of SeaTac, Burien,
Des Moines, Normandy Park, Tukwila and Federal Way. This voluntary, non-governing, regional
roundtable is convened by the Aviation Managing Director and was developed in partnership
with the leadership from the Highline Forum-member cities and other representational entities. 
StART provides all parties with the opportunity to: 
Support meaningful and collaborative public dialogue and engagement on airport-related
operations, planning and development; 
Provide an opportunity for the Highline Forum-member cities to inform the airport-
related decision making of the Port of Seattle and other jurisdictions/organizations; 
Raise public knowledge about the airport and its impacts, and, of most significance 
Focus on practical solutions to reduce the impact of the airport on Highline Forum-
member cities. 
On January 26, 2021, StART, after months of negotiations, formally revised its Operating
Procedures. Among  the numerous changes, the revised Operating Procedures established a
more formal relationship with the Highline Forum, created a Steering Committee that provides
StART with shared strategic direction, offers the StART membership greater input on the
facilitator and strengthened the behavior expectations for the entire membership.
StART's major accomplishments are primarily the result of efforts initiated by its two working
groups: The Aviation Noise (AN) Working Group and the Federal Policy (FP) Working Group. 
In 2021, the AN Working Group, with a mission to prioritize and explore potential near-term
actions to reduce and prevent aviation noise, continued to focus its efforts on its Aviation Near-
Term Noise Action Agenda. This included reviewing and refining work associated with several of
the agenda's initiatives and exploring new potential initiatives to include within the agenda.

Template revised April 12, 2018.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _11a_                               Page 2 of 8 
Meeting Date: March 22, 2022 

The FP Working Group has a mission to change federal policies and regulations that can give the
FAA, the Port and the communities more tools, resources and flexibilities to address aircraft noise
and emissions concerns. It has developed and continues to implement a shared Port-Cities
Federal Policy Priorities agenda. In 2021, the FP Working Group prioritized advocacy surrounding
federal Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Build
Back Better Act.
In 2022, expect the AN Working Group to continue to prioritize efforts that fit within its Aviation
Near-Term Noise Action Agenda.  For the FP Working Group, expect a continued focus on 
advocating for shared federal priorities, particularly through the Build Back Better Act, federal
Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations and the 2023 FAA Reauthorization Act.
StART OVERVIEW 
Cognizant of SEA's growth and the community impacts associated with that growth, the Port of
Seattle is committed to building open relationships with the community and local jurisdictions
that foster trust, accountability and collaboration. An important component of that commitment
is the creation of StART in early 2018.
The Port of Seattle, in collaboration with the six Highline Forum member-cities and other
representational entities, developed StART to enhance cooperation between the Port and the
Highline Forum-member cities of SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Tukwila and
Federal Way. This voluntary, non-governing, regional roundtable is convened by the Aviation
Managing Director, Lance Lyttle, the Chair of StART.
StART enables a forum that fosters a spirit of good will, respect and openness while encouraging
candid discussion between the Port and residential and business community members from the
Highline Forum-member cities. 
Each city designates three members to serve on StART who are joined by representatives from
Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, an air cargo representative and Port staff. The Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) provides agency expertise. 
Meetings, in 2021, were facilitated by Brian Scott, BDS Planning & Urban Design. 
StART created two working groups to empower StART's members to work on identified priorities
between StART meetings: The Aviation Noise (AN) Working Group in late 2018 and the Federal
Policy (FP) Working Group in early 2019. 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _11a_                               Page 3 of 8 
Meeting Date: March 22, 2022 
MEMBERSHIP & REVISED OPERATING PROCEDURES 
Though interrupted by COVID, the Port and all six Highline Forum-member cities collaborated
throughout 2020 to address ways to increase StART's effectiveness and shared accountability.
On January 26, 2021, an updated set of operating procedures, including a revised Code of
Conduct, was confirmed by the Highline Forum-member cities and the Port. Some of the major
changes to the Operating Procedures include: 
A more formal relationship between the Highline Forum and StART.
A Steering Committee that provides support, guidance, and strategic direction for StART. 
Feedback annually on the facilitator's management of StART meetings and members. 
Strengthened behavior expectations and clarified responsibilities for all with adhering to
StART's Code of Conduct. 
By-mid-2021,  all  Highline  Forum-member  cities  had  appointed  their  two  community
representatives to serve on StART and StART again reached full representation.
AVIATION NOISE WORKING GROUP 
In June 2019, StART formed its first working group: The AN Working Group comprised of a subset
of StART members, Port staff and additional staff from the Highline Forum-member cities and
other representational entities along with a noise consultant to provide expert advice.  Its 
assignment: prioritize and explore potential near-term actions to reduce and prevent aviation
noise. 
Aviation Near-Term Noise Action Agenda 
In 2021, the AN Working Group focused on reviewing and refining work associated with several
of the agenda's initiatives and exploring new potential initiatives to include within the
agenda, including: 
(1)      The Late Night Noise Limitation Program  Voluntary measure to reduce late 
night noise by incentivizing air carriers to fly at less noise sensitive hours or transition to quieter
aircraft.  Program commenced in July 2019 with regular reporting each quarter to external
audiences. In 2021, Port staff began to meet again directly with air carriers who had the most
noise exceedances during the late night hours. In 2021, the program achieved its first significant
success when EVA Airways, because of the program, made the switch to a quieter aircraft during
the late night hours. 
(2)      Runway Use Plan  Informal Runway Use Plan, implemented in late 2019, to
minimize use of the Third Runway during the late-night hours (12:00 AM to 5:00 AM). Late night
operations on the Third Runway have dropped dramatically since implementation of the Runway
Use Plan from an average of 12 nightly landings pre-implementation to an average of one nightly
landing in 2021.  Runway usage continues to be monitored with regular reporting at StART
meetings. 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _11a_                               Page 4 of 8 
Meeting Date: March 22, 2022 
(3)      Glide  Slope  Adjustment    Raise  Runway  34R's glideslope  to  lessen aircraft
approach noise. The  34R glide slope  adjustment is incorporated into an airport taxiway
reconfiguration project. Preliminary design is now complete. Implementation is contingent on
the   Sustainable   Airport   Master   Plan's   (SAMP)   finalization   and   FAA   approval.
A three degreeglideslope on Runway 34R seven miles south of SEA will equate to aircraft being
roughly 184feethigher than they fly currently. 
(4)      Monthly Noise Comment Reporting  Provide up-to-date, accessible information
on noise complaints and comments submitted by the public. Online monthly reporting began
with June 2020 and updates are provided at StART meetings on a regular basis. 
(5)      Noise  Abatement  Departures  Profiles  Analysis    Analyze  the  feasibility  of
implementing a "distant" departure profile to lessen aircraft departure noise for farther out
airport communities. Though a "distant" departure profile could lessen noise, the analysis also
identified a possible uptick in noise for close-in neighborhoods. Consequently, the AN Working
Group agreed to not pursue any additional proactive measures to promote the distant procedure
with air carriers. 
(6)     Ground Noise Study   Analyze airfield ground noise sources and identify potential
mitigation measures. Airfield ground noise sources identified in the study include taxiing, takeoff
rolls, reverse thrust upon arrival, auxiliary power unit (APU) use and engine maintenance runups.
The study's noise monitoring and modeling is complete and potential mitigation measures
are being developed by the consultant team.
(7)      Rolling Takeoffs  Establish rolling takeoffs as the preferred takeoff procedure
during periods of light air traffic. A noise monitoring effort will soon be implemented to evaluate
whether there is a measurable noise difference of instituting a rolling takeoff versus a traditional
takeoff. Results to be shared with the AN Working Group. 
In 2022, the AN Working Group will continue to identify and analyze sources of aviation noise
and explore new action items that could be undertaken as part of its Aviation Near-Term Noise
Action Agenda.
. 
FEDERAL POLICY WORKING GROUP 
The Port of Seattle is extremely limited in its authority to address some of the core issues that
local residents have expressed about aviation: it has no authority to set flight paths or control
when planes take off or land; it is required by federal law to accommodate all legitimate airline
requests; it cannot determine what airplanes or engines are used by airlines; and airport revenue
can only be used for noise insulation if the properties are within the FAA's approved 65 DNL noise
contour. 
For those reasons, StART formed a FP Working Group  to identify areas of consensus and
collaboration between the Port and airport cities on new tools, new authorities, new resources,
new approaches and new engagement from the federal government, and to engage Members of
Congress in pushing for these shared priorities. 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _11a_                               Page 5 of 8 
Meeting Date: March 22, 2022 
Over a year-long period, the Port and the airport cities successfully identified a significant number
of shared federal policy priorities  both implementation of existing laws from the 2018 Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act as well as new policies and investments to 
pass into law. They are as follows: 
FAA Reauthorization Provisions: 
While all the FAA Reauthorization noise provisions are important, there are three top priorities  
1) the provisions related to evaluation of the 65 DNL noise standard (sections 173, 187 and 188),
2) the study of the impact of overflight noise on human health (section 189), and 3) the proposed
environmental mitigation pilot program (section 190). The timely and effective execution of
these provisions are well aligned with community concerns and  have the potential for
substantive benefit to the region. 
Sections 173/187/188: In terms of the 65 DNL, the FAA put out a brief report finding that
the 65 DNL is the only viable metric, but the FP Working Group is interested in them taking
a more comprehensive review of this topic. The FAA  also recently  released its
comprehensive and detailed survey of noise annoyance levels, and the findings of this
study will be a key driver of next steps related to noise mitigation best practices. The
Federal Policy WG is urging policy guidance based on the release of the survey as soon as
possible. 
Section 189: As one of the metropolitan areas called out in the legislation for focus of the
human health study, the FP Working Group is particularly interested in the scope,
methodology and findings of the study of health and economic impacts of overflight
noise. In addition to urging swift action on this provision, the Federal Policy WG would
like to be engaged with the FAA and the research university carrying out this work
throughout the process. 
Section 190: The Puget Sound region is known for both its innovation and commitment
to sustainability, and so the FP Working Group was very excited about the potential for a
pilot program that would allow for experimenting with new approaches to reducing or
mitigating aviation impacts on noise, air quality, or water quality. The FP WG certainly
intends to apply for this funding, but also offer its willingness to provide input to the
design and structure of the grant program. The Federal Policy WG also looks forward to
working to ensure sufficient appropriations for this provision. 
New Legislation: 
There are also pieces of legislation that the FP Working Group believe would help move its 
priorities forward: 
Representative Smith's Protecting Airport Communities from Particle Emissions Act,
which would direct the FAA to report on ultrafine particles and their health impacts for
communities around 10 of the busiest U.S. airports. The study would also analyze the
potential impacts of mitigation options, emissions reductions, and the increased use of
aviation biofuels. 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _11a_                               Page 6 of 8 
Meeting Date: March 22, 2022 
Representative Lynch's Air Traffic Noise and Pollution Expert Consensus Act, which
would direct the FAA to enter into appropriate arrangements with the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide for a report on the health
impacts of air traffic noise and pollution. 
Representative Smith's legislation that would allow for secondary noise mitigation
investments in previously insulated homes, in specific situations where those noise
reduction packages failed or were flawed in some way. 
Representative Smith's legislation that would provide EPA funding for research and
mitigation efforts related to aircraft noise and emissions. 
The Sustainable Skies Act, to incentivize the production and implementation of
sustainable aviation fuels through a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuels blending 
New Investments: 
More funding for the existing FAA noise insulation program  The FP Working Group
supports increased set asides for  airport improvement grants for airport emission
reduction projects, airplane noise mitigation and other airport projects that reduce the
adverse effects of airport operations on the environment and surrounding communities. 
Funding for a "Healthy Ports Initiative", to provide federal funding for environmental
justice programs in near-port communities. The House-passed Build Back Better Act
included $3.5 billion for a "Healthy Ports Initiative" to "support programs to mitigate the
cumulative impacts of air pollution on neighborhoods near ports, often communities of
color." The bipartisan $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also included
some funds for programs that address these issues - including funding to reduce drayage
truck idling and to address indoor air quality in public schools. 
More funding for research and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels as well as other
low-zero carbon alternative fuels for ground transportation vehicles such as renewable
natural gas and electrification  The FP Working Group is focused on not only pursing this
goal through legislation and appropriations but also executive action, especially because
sustainable aviation fuels not only decrease carbon emissions, but also decrease other air
particle emissions. 
More funding and incentives for aircraft modernization and other environmental
performance improvements  The FP Working Group is impressed and excited about the
work that the European Union and the European aviation industry has done to tie
together COVID recovery and environmental sustainability and will be doing more
research on how those efforts can be applied in the United States. 
More research and investment into the future of aircraft  The FP Working Group
supports federal investments and policies that drive cleaner aircraft, such as electric jets,
while ensuring that these new planes don't increase noise impacts. Any new commercial
jets  including supersonic aircraft  should meet or exceed existing noise standards. 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _11a_                               Page 7 of 8 
Meeting Date: March 22, 2022 
StART IN 2022 
One of the key results from StART's revised Operating Procedures, the StART Steering Committee
began meeting in early 2021 with the goal of providing  support, guidance, and strategic direction
for  StART.  Membership  on  the  Steering  Committee  includes  the  Chair  of  StART,  city
representatives, which typically are filled by the city managers, and airline representatives. The
Steering Committee is resourced by the FAA, Port support staff, and the facilitator. 
Six times a year, the Steering Committee meets to discuss agenda items for upcoming StART
meetings and receive updates on efforts underway at the AN and FP Working Groups.  The
Steering Committee also reviews and adjusts a list of tentative priorities for upcoming StART
meetings or for StART to act on. The list, as of February 2022, is: 
Tentative priorities for 2022 StART meetings: 
Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) 
Aviation fuel dumping & airline/airport procedures 
South King County Fund update 
Air cargo operational changes & expected trends 
The latest on airport-related health studies 
Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission recommendations 
Paine Field overview 
Next-Gen procedures & implementation in Puget Sound 
Noise Comment Reporting & How it's utilized 
Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act 
2023 FAA Reauthorization Act priorities 
Airport's impact on near-airport roads 
Insulation Program overview 
Impact of the Washington State Aircraft Noise Abatement Act 
The StART AN Working Group and FP Working Group set their own workplans and meeting
agendas. Both working groups are also receptive to tackling additional topics and priorities as
they arise.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND 
The 2019 StART Annual Report to the Commission was cancelled in 2020 because of impacts
related to COVID-19. 



Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _11a_                               Page 8 of 8 
Meeting Date: March 22, 2022 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING 
(1)   StART Operating Procedures 
(2)   StART 2021 Membership Roster 
(3)   Aviation Near-term Noise Action Agenda Summary 
(4)   StART Federal Advocacy Priorities Matrix 
(5)   2021 StART Annual Report 
(6)   Presentation slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
March 9, 2020  The Commission was briefed on StART's 2020 Annual Report 
January 22, 2019  The Commission was briefed on StART's 2018 Annual Report 













Template revised September 22, 2016.

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