Port of Seattle briefed Federal Way on draft SEPA EIS for SEA Sustainable Airport Master Plan; public comment open through July 21

The Port of Seattle presented the draft State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental impact statement for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) to the Federal Way City Council on July 2, saying the document is available for public review and comment through July 21, 2026. Dave Kaplan, the Port's local government relations manager, told the council the port prepared the SEPA EIS to expand on the FAA's earlier federal environmental assessment and to analyze additional state-focused issues including greenhouse gases, human health, environmental justice, and cumulative impacts.

Kaplan said the SAMP near-term projects would address crowding and operational constraints at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, and include projects such as a second terminal, roadway improvements and taxiway enhancements. He said the Port identified one element—surface transportation—as having potentially significant impacts and plans to invest about $40 million in transportation improvements to ease congestion around the airport.

Why it matters: The SEPA EIS shapes state-level environmental review and helps local jurisdictions and residents understand how proposed airport projects could affect air and water quality, traffic, noise and community health. The port emphasized that publishing the draft EIS does not authorize construction of the projects; individual projects would still require separate commission authorization and additional approvals.

What the Port told the council: Kaplan walked through the SEPA document structure and outreach plan and said the port has expanded technical analysis beyond the FAA’s NEPA assessment, including a human health risk assessment and more detailed air-quality work. He noted the Port is offering multiple open houses and has provided translations and childcare at meetings to broaden participation. Kaplan said an open house in Federal Way was scheduled for June 24 at Wildwood Elementary School, and that physical copies of the draft EIS are available at the Federal Way Library and the Port’s offices at Pier 69.

Public participation and next steps: The Port opened a 60-day comment period from May 22 through July 21, 2026, double the typical SEPA comment window for an EIS. Kaplan encouraged residents to submit written comments through the project website, sea-samp.com, attend open houses, or register for updates. He said all comments will be considered and responded to in the final EIS, which the Port expects to publish before the end of 2026 unless additional analysis is required.

Council and staff follow-up: Council members asked procedural questions during the presentation and were directed to the SAMP website for details and meeting schedules. Kaplan reiterated that while the EIS identifies mitigation strategies and potential impacts, it does not itself authorize the near-term projects; each project would require separate Port commission authorization.

What to watch next: The draft SEPA EIS public comment period closes July 21, 2026. Federal Way residents who want to review materials or submit comments can find details at sea-samp.com or inspect printed copies at the Federal Way Library at 320th. The Port expects to publish the final EIS later in 2026.