Whereas the FAA has determined that increasing air traffic volumes will require shortening curfew hours (currently 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.), resulting in more flights and aircraft noise during nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) over residential neighborhoods;
Whereas the Port of Seattle is seeking to increase the capacity of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport resulting in flight track changes and increased flights over Seattle’s residential areas;
Whereas the FAA has concluded that it is not feasible to increase the usage of the established Duwamish/Elliott Bay Noise Abatement Corridor;
Whereas the FAA and the Port of Seattle have yet to implement the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology for arrivals, as was part of the mitigation agreement for the four-post plan;
Therefore Be It Resolved that Seattle’s elected and appointed public officials request a moratorium on the expansion of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport until the aircraft noise issues affecting Seattle’s residential communities are adequately addressed, and a plan for noise reduction has been developed and accepted by affected communities;
That our elected and appointed public officials request an extension of the curfew hours for departures, from the current 10 p.m. - 6 a.m., to 9 p.m. - 7 a.m., to minimize sleep disturbance to residents, especially children;
That our elected and appointed public officials insist there be maximum utilization of the Duwamish/Elliott Bay Noise Abatement Corridor, and that flight tracks for arrivals and departures be reconfigured to accomplish this;
That our elected and appointed public officials advocate for a commission to determine a location for a new regional airport and that there be no further expenditure of money to increase the capacity of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport until such commission has completed its study;
Be It Further Resolved that the Seattle City Council, the Mayor of Seattle, the King County Executive, the King County Council, the Port of Seattle Commissioners, the Puget Sound Regional Council, the local State Legislators, and other elected and appointed public officials convey to the Washington State Congressional delegation our serious concern that the FAA has failed to adequately consider the impact of its policies on the residents of Seattle, and request our United States Senators and Representatives to advocate for the above actions.