Community Coalition Formed Against Sea-Tac Expansion
Alarmed by the proposed Sea-Tac Airport expansion, five organizations have united to form the Sea-Tac Airport Community Coalition for Justice (STACC4J). This coalition advocates for the principle of No Added Harm from the Sea-Tac Airport Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), which proposes to accommodate 87,000 additional flights annually—a 21% increase over the current 420,000 flights per year.
Urgent Equity and Health Concerns
The coalition’s vision emphasizes “Healthy airport communities and healthy workers,” recognizing the environmental, health, and climate harms caused by the airport as urgent issues of racial equity and social justice. Sea-Tac Airport’s operations affect over 419,760 residents in nearby cities, which include Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, Renton, SeaTac, and Tukwila.
Disproportionate Impact on Communities of Color
The affected communities are predominantly people of color (64%) and include a significant number of immigrants and refugees (29%), who are particularly vulnerable to environmental and health harms. This issue became starkly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Documented Environmental and Health Harms
- Environmental harms: Aircraft emissions release toxic air pollutants, including ultrafine particles and other hazardous air pollutants recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Currently, there are no planned mitigation measures for aviation-related air pollution.
- Health hazards: According to King County, air pollution and noise from Sea-Tac are linked to serious health issues, including asthma, cancer, and decreased cognitive development in children.
- Shortened lifespans: Residents near the airport see a decrease in life expectancy, with an 8-year reduction reported in areas like the Duwamish Valley and Beacon Hill.
Call for Comprehensive Assessments
Despite these documented harms, the Port of Seattle asserts that there are “no significant impacts” from the expansion, failing to address cumulative effects of increased flight volumes. The coalition has requested an extension for public comments but only received a week’s extension.
STACC4J’s Demands
The coalition’s demands include:
- Conducting a cumulative environmental, health, and climate impact analysis.
- Performing a racial and economic impact analysis in line with Presidential Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice.
- Providing a contextual analysis linking the short-term projects to long-term plans.
Signed by:
Maria Batayola, Chair, Beacon Hill Council
Estela Ortega, Executive Director, El Centro De La Raza
Velma Veloria, Chair, King County International Airport Community Coalition
Dr. Laura Gibbon, 350 Seattle Aviation Team Volunteer
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