PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.      6b 
ACTION ITEM 
Date of Meeting    November 10, 2015 
DATE:    October 8, 2015 
TO:      Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:   Elizabeth Leavitt, Director Aviation Planning and Environmental Services 
Steve Rybolt, Environmental Management Specialist II 
SUBJECT:  Environmental Review (National Environmental Policy Act and State
Environmental Policy Act) Personal Services Agreement for the Sustainable
Airport Master Plan 
Maximum Contract Value:      $3,000,000   Source of Funds:    Aviation Operating
Budget 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to execute one contract to
conduct environmental review on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan with an estimated value of 
$3,000,000 and an anticipated completion date of December 31, 2017.
SYNOPSIS 
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
require environmental review of projects and plans. Commission Resolution No. 3650 requires
environmental review prior to Commission authorization of projects. The Port is completing its 
planning work on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) and must conduct the required
environmental review to comply with these state and federal statutes and Port of Seattle policy.
BACKGROUND 
Master plans, including comprehensive environmental reviews required by law, are conducted at
Sea-Tac Airport approximately every 10 years. The last major planning effort was the Master
Plan completed in 1997 (included 3rd Runway, etc.) and a smaller planning effort known as the
Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) completed in 2007 (included warehouse facilities,
airfield updates, etc.).
Sea-Tac Airport is experiencing unprecedented growth as Seattle is one of the fastest growing
regions in the country. In March 2014, Sea-Tac Airport embarked on a major planning effort to
ensure that the airport and the region can accomodate future growth. The airport master plan is
expected to be completed in early to mid-2016, after which Port staff will conduct the required
environmental review.

Template revised May 30, 2013.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
October 8, 2015 
Page 2 of 6 
The NEPA and SEPA environmental review will include both near-term projects and broader
(programmatic) actions for airside, landside, and terminal projects as described under the SAMP
alternatives.  The environmental review will be comprehensive, covering a wide range of
environmental categories such as: 
Geologic/earth 
Air, water, plants, animals, and energy use 
Community issues including noise, environmental justice, aesthetics, light and glare, and
historic and cultural preservation 
Land use, public services, transportation, utilities 
Cumulative impacts and indirect/secondary/induced impacts 
Construction impacts and hazardous materials. 
The level of complexity and the corresponding budget for the environmental review depend on
the potential environmental impacts of the master plan alternatives. For budgeting purposes, Port
staff assumes it will need to conduct an in-depth environmental review to meet NEPA and SEPA
requirements. Following the completion of the SAMP environmental review, the Port may begin
implementing actions identified within the SAMP.
REQUEST JUSTIFICATION AND DETAILS 
NEPA and SEPA are required environmental regulatory processes that identify the likely adverse
environmental impact of an action(s). NEPA is a federal requirement, and SEPA is a state
requirement. The extent of environmental review required for NEPA and SEPA is identified in
NEPA FAA Orders 1050.1F and 5050.4B and RCW 43.21C and the WAC SEPA Rules Chapter
197-11. Additionally, Commission Resolution No. 3650 identifies the Port's SEPA policies and
procedures and requires environmental review prior to Commission authorization of projects 
included in the SAMP.
The scope and proposed budget for this environmental review are similar to environmental
reviews conducted in previous airport planning efforts. For example, the last planning effort for
the airport was the CDP completed in 2007. The cost of the environmental review for the CDP
was $2,300,000. The budget request for this SAMP environmental review is similar to the cost
for the CDP. 
The contract will be competitively procured and the solicitation will include Small Contractors
and Suppliers certification (SCS) requirement of 7% that was determined jointly with the Office
of Social Responsibility (OSR). The Office of Social Responsibility will also conduct outreach to
promote the contract to encourage SCS, Small, Minority, Women and Disadvantaged
participation. 
The FAA recommends that major environmental reviews be conducted by a third party to ensure
an independent review and evaluation. Additionally, Port staff does not cover the breadth of the

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
October 8, 2015 
Page 3 of 6 
specialized expertise needed to conduct FAA-mandated modeling, data acquisition, and analysis.
For these reasons, Port staff was not considered a viable alternative to perform this work.
Project Objectives 
Conduct NEPA and SEPA on the SAMP as required by federal and state statues and
Port of Seattle policy. 
Provide technical expertise to evaluate potential environmental impacts of alternatives
identified in the SAMP in a timely and cost effective manner.
Deliver an independent third party environmental review and evaluation of the SAMP.
Scope of Work 
Consulting contract will include the following items: 
Environmental impact evaluation: Review and identify potential environmental impacts
of the SAMP pursuant to NEPA and SEPA requirements across an array of
environmental disciplines;
Complete an independent and defensible environmental evaluation of the SAMP;
Modeling, data acquisition, and analysis: Conduct environmental analyses of SAMP
alternatives including, but not limited to, air, water, noise, and transportation; 
Project management:  Manage the activities of the subconsultants and facilitate
communication among the project team; 
Community engagement and coordination: Develop communication materials and
strategies for public distribution and engagement, in collaboration with Port staff, related
to progress and outcomes of the SAMP environmental evaluation and NEPA and SEPA
requirements to public agencies and the community; and 
Prepare environmental documentation: Document findings,evaluations, and analysis of 
potential environmental impacts of SAMP alternatives. 
Schedule 
Commission authorization to execute and advertise               Nov. 2015 
Request for Qualifications published                          Nov. 2015 
Contract award and start environmental review process             Mar. 2016 
Commission review and adoption                          Mar. 2017 
FAA issues Record of Decision                           Apr. 2017 
Commission briefings,stakeholder engagement, and community outrach will occur throughout
the duration of the project.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
The contract will be written for an estimated $3,000,000. The costs for these services will be
included in the Aviation Environmental annual operating budget request  and subject to

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
October 8, 2015 
Page 4 of 6 
Commission approval. As such, the primary funding source will be the Airport Development
Fund. The 2016 proposed operating budget includes $2,000,000 for this work. 
STRATEGIES AND OBJECTIVES 
This contract supports the Port's ongoing efforts to fulfill regulatory obligations for airport
growth and development. Consulting services made available through this contract allow the Port
to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of future airport growth and development
identified within the SAMP and mitigate those impacts as appropriate. This contract also
supports the Port's Century Agenda objective to meet the region's air transportation needs at
Sea-Tac Airport for the next 25 years. It also supports the airport's strategic objective to operate
a world-class international airport, lead the U.S. airport industry in environmental innovation and
minimizing the airport's environmental footprint, and maintain valued community partnerships
based on mutual understanding and socially responsible practices.
This contract will support the Port's strategy to manage our finances responsibly by providing a
cost efficient means to secure personal services for tasks which present variable workloads and
require specialized expertise that cannot be effectively provided by Port staff. 
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE 
Economic Development 
The contract will include provisions for small business participation as specified by the Port's
Office of Social Responsibility. The current procurement plan is to execute one service
agreement. The specialized services required will provide business opportunities for multiple
firms to team on this procurement. In accordance with the Office of Social Responsibility (OSR)
recommendations, small business participation will be considered in the evaluation criteria.
Environmental Responsibility 
Sea-Tac is the first large hub airport in the U.S. to fully incorporate sustainability as a key
component of its master planning effort. This includes reducing environmental impacts, ensuring
economic performance, and working collaboratively with local communities. This contract will
evaluate the master plan alternatives and future airport requirements, analyze growth in and
around the airport, and determine whether or not mitigation measures are appropriate to address
any likely adverse environmental impacts from projects in those alternatives. 
Community Benefits 
Future airport development and growth presents opportunities and challenges to adjacent
communities and the region. The NEPA and SEPA process require extensive stakeholder
engagement, notification of actions, and public comment periods. Public engagement and
community outreach will be aligned with key project milestones and keep public agencies and
the community informed as the SAMP environmental review progresses. Community 
engagement is expected to exceed regulatory requirements.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
October 8, 2015 
Page 5 of 6 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1)  Environmental review services provided by Port staff. This is not the
recommended alternative. 
This is not a feasible alternative. The FAA recommends that major environmental reviews are
conducted by a third party to ensure an independent review and evaluation. Additionally, Port
staff does not cover the breadth of the specialized expertise to conduct FAA-mandated modeling,
data acquisition, and analysis. Because this is not a feasible option, costs were not estimated.
Cost Estimate: NA 
Pros: 
Direct access to staff conducting the work (i.e. Port staff); and 
Increases Port staff expertise. 
Cons: 
Does not provide independent analysis and evaluation; and 
This option is not recommend by FAA; 
Over 20 discipline experts required through the duration of the project; 
Full-time positions hired for this project would not be required after the project is
complete. 
Alternative 2)    Environmental review services provided by a professional services
contract. This is the recommended alternative. 
Cost Estimate: $3 million 
Pros: 
Consultant only gets paid for work performed; 
Does not require additional Port Staff; 
Provides diverse technical experts from a variety of disciplines; 
Provides independent review of potential environmental impacts; and
FAA recommended approach. 
Cons: 
Cost 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
PowerPoint Presentation

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
October 8, 2015 
Page 6 of 6 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
September 8, 2015 - Commission Briefing: "Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP)
Planning Update" 
April 28, 2015 - Commission Briefing: "Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP)
Planning Update" 
March 24, 2015 - Commission Briefing: "Briefing on Sea-Tac Cargo as part of the
Sustainable Airport Master Plan" 
January 27, 2015 - Commission Briefing: "Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP)
Planning Update" 
October 7, 2014 - Commission Briefing: "Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP)
Forecast and Facilities Challenges" 
February 28, 2014 - Commission authorization to amend the existing Sustainable
Airport Master Plan (SAMP) service agreement with Leigh Fisher Associates for IAF-
related planning tasks for an increase of $3,650,000 and a new total contract amount of
$9,650,000 
September 5, 2012 -  Commission authorization for SAMP development and to
advertise and execute a contract for consulting services for the SAMP, with a total
estimated value of $6 million 
August 14, 2012 - Commission deferred consideration of a request to approve funding
for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) 
June 27, 2012 - Commission Briefing: "Terminal Development Challenges"