The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Port of Seattle are conducting an environmental review of the SAMP Near-Term Projects.
As population in the Puget Sound region continues to grow, the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) is a blueprint for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) development, guiding the strategic design and development of new facilities to accommodate future demand.
In addition to considering forecasted passenger and cargo demand, the master plan takes stock of current facilities, infrastructure, and operations — looking at scenarios five, 10 and 20 years in the future. It includes air quality, energy and water conservation, recycling and other strategic environmental goals, and will align with the Port’s sustainability and energy efficiency goals.
SAMP focus areas:
- Meet forecast passenger demand
- Meet forecast cargo demand
- Comply with FAA airfield standards/guidance
- Improve operational efficiency
- Provide additional fuel capacity and meet Port's Sustainable Aviation Biofuel initiative
This Executive Summary summarizes the principal results of the SAMP—the forecasts of aviation activity, facility requirements, alternatives considered, the long-term vision for Airport development, and the projects recommended for implementation in the near term.
Near-term projects
SEA's SAMP plan recommends more than 30 Near-Term Projects that will improve efficiency, safety, access to the airport, and support facilities for airlines and the airport. Highlights include a new terminal with 19 gates, and an automated people mover with three stations to connect the rental car facility, new terminal, and main terminal. Near-Term Projects are designed to accommodate 56 million passengers and meet the forecasted demand to 2032 with a high level of service. Near-Term Projects will be complete or under construction by 2032.
Near-term project highlights
- 19 additional gates and a second terminal
- Cargo facilities
- 30+ projects to improve safety, provide support facilities, improve efficiency, and access to the airport
- Complete or under construction by 2032
Airside, terminal, and landside
With the increasing growth in passengers and flights, SEA is evaluating opportunities and challenges within all three airport operational areas: airfield, terminal and landside (parking and roadways). The SAMP process will culminate in a capital improvement program and a financing plan that will deliver the airfield, terminal and landside projects needed to relieve congestion and provide a high level of service to the airport's customers.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a core value at SEA Airport and the Port of Seattle. Environmental considerations are part of every decision, from where and what we build, to how we operate our facilities. With sustainability as an integral component of the SAMP Near-Term Projects, we want to ensure we minimize impacts to our neighbors, traveling passengers, and business partners.
For example, as part of the SAMP planning process, we developed criteria to screen concepts against our sustainability objectives such as their locations to local wetlands and creeks. We also looked at how approaches could minimize impervious surfaces, which decrease the need for stormwater infrastructure.
We are committed to integrating sustainability into our airport through initiatives as energy and water conservation, the use of advanced technologies, and renewable energy. In addition, sustainable operations are the lasting part of this commitment, and we are dedicated to green transportation and renewable fuel initiatives.
We strive to be one of the greenest and most energy-efficient ports in North America. The purpose of the SAMP Near-Term Projects is to meet future growth in activity, comply with FAA standards, enhance airport efficiency, and meet future demand for fuel realizing that we have a responsibility to minimize our impact on the environment and our surrounding communities.
Environmental review
The purpose of an environmental review is to:
- Conduct an objective analysis of potential cumulative environmental impacts according to established procedures
- Verify existing conditions and planning forecasts
- Identify ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts
- Publicly disclose identified environmental impacts
- Provide full transparency and engagement in the process
The SAMP environmental review process will include the Near-Term Project improvements, which is being conducted to comply with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The SAMP also includes a Long-Term Vision for SEA, which includes projects that are not ready for environmental review at this time, as they require further study and are not reasonably foreseeable. Before any of the Long-Term Vision projects are implemented, the appropriate environmental review process will be conducted. Learn more about the environmental review of the SAMP Near-Term Projects.
Schedule
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Port of Seattle (Port) determined that additional time was needed to complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for the SAMP NTP Environmental Assessment (EA). Due to delays from COVID-19 and other factors, the proposed opening of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects (SAMP NTP) shifted from 2027 to 2032. The FAA’s NEPA draft EA was published on October 21, 2024, with public comment period lasting through December 13, 2024. Comments can be received by December 13, 2024, via email at [email protected], or through the SAMP website at www.sampntpenvironmentalreview.org.
The Port continues work to complete the environmental review of the SAMP NTP. Once the NEPA environmental review is final, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental review will follow. Commission authorization is required to initiate work on individual projects.
Long-term vision
Before recommending additional projects, the Port will participate in a broader regional conversation as well as review results from a new Puget Sound Regional Council regional aviation baseline study and additional SEA airfield and airspace study. Airspace and financial components are tightly constrained and need further review. Long-term vision recommendations would undergo subsequent environmental review.
Visit www.SAMPNTPenvironmentalreview.org for ongoing updates on the process. Stay in touch by subscribing to Port of Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport email updates. This ensures you receive the latest information, events, and initiatives.
Estimated cost
The SAMP Near-Term Projects environmental review is expected to cost $6.4 million. Funding comes from Airport Development Funds.
Documentation
Planning Outreach Materials
- Select this link to view display boards, presentations, summaries and comment cards received during End of Planning Open House Meetings, Spring 2018
- 2018 SAMP Outreach
Planning Technical Memos
- No. 1: Background Process Goals Objective
- No. 2: Inventory of Existing Conditions
- No. 3: Air Cargo Market Assessment
- No. 4: Forecasts of Aviation Activity
- No. 5: Facility Requirements
- No. 6: Alternatives
- No. 7: Facilities Implementation and Financial Feasibility — please refer to Latest map of proposed near-term projects
- No. 8: Environmental Effects Overview
- No. 9: Sustainability Plan and Management
Environmental Review Documents
All environmental review documents can be found at www.sampntpenvironmentalreview.org.
