SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6371

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 5, 1992

Brief Description:  Concerning the creation of a large airport in Eastern Washington.

SPONSORS: Senators Erwin, Patterson, Barr, A. Smith and Oke

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Brian McMorrow (786‑7304)

Hearing Dates: February 5, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The Air Transportation Commission (ATC) is a 27-member body that is conducting studies to determine Washington State's long-range air transportation policy.  The commission's work program will address the following issues:

!Investment in air transportation or other modal alternatives

!Needs of commercial and general aviation

!Air transportation economic development tool

!Air transportation as part of the state's environmental policy goals

!Air transportation as part of the state's growth management policy

!Suitability of existing governance structures

The ATC will submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Transportation Committee by December 1, 1994, with an interim report by December, 1992.

The Puget Sound Air Transportation Committee (PSATC) is a 36-member committee responsible for addressing the air capacity needs of Sea-Tac Airport.  The committee's project, known as "Flight Plan," is sponsored by the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Port of Seattle.  After two years of work, the committee has selected as its preferred alternative a multiple airport system, which will be implemented in phases.

!Add Sea-Tac new air carrier runway (1995-2000)

!Initiate commercial service at Paine Field (1995-2000)

!Add supplemental airport after 2010 at one of the following:

-- Ft. Lewis or McChord if military coordination can be achieved

--- Ft. Lewis East if airspace coordination can be resolved

-- Olympia/Black Lake if no military sharing is possible

Currently, the public is reviewing the PSATC's findings, supporting material and draft programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS).  Construction of the new runway would begin no earlier than 1996.

The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requires public entities, whose actions may significantly affect the environment, to prepare a detailed EIS.  The SEPA process may involve several steps including:

!Determining probable impact on environment

!Mitigating adverse impacts on the environment

!Preparing a document identifying potential areas of impact

SUMMARY:

The Legislature finds that expansion of Sea-Tac Airport is politically difficult and environmentally unsound, while expansion of the existing airport at Moses Lake is economically, environmentally and logistically advantageous.

The Legislature also finds that a high speed ground transportation system would move people and freight from eastern to western Washington more safely and efficiently than moving them on the I-5 corridor.

If the Port of Moses Lake requests his help, the Secretary of Transportation must assist the port in gaining federal approval as an international port of entry.

Ports operating an airport in a class AA county (i.e., Sea-Tac Airport) are prohibited from expanding their runway capacity until the studies of the Air Transportation Commission and the High Speed Ground Transportation Steering Committee have been completed, submitted, and acted upon by the Legislature.  The Legislature must approve any runway expansion at Sea-Tac Airport.

Appropriation:

Revenue:

Fiscal Note:  requested