Federal Agencies: Third Runway "Not Likely to Adversely Affect" Fish

Biological Opinion concludes project will enhance fish habitat

(Seattle)--Two federal agencies have released findings that conclude the Port of Seattle's third runway project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will not have an adverse effect on federally protected fish in streams adjacent to the airport.

The findings were contained in a Biological Opinion issued last week by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and in a letter of concurrence from the National Marine Fisheries Service. The Services' decision fell into the technical category of "may affect, not likely to adversely affect."

"This seems like a thoughtful and well-reasoned endorsement of our environmental mitigation plan," said Gina Marie Lindsey, Managing Director of Aviation for the Port of Seattle.

"We've worked all along to ensure that our project will enhance habitat in the creeks. That can only be good for all species of fish, including those that might be threatened," Lindsey said. "We're glad the federal services agree."

Neither endangered nor threatened species of fish have been recorded in the creeks west of Sea-Tac. It is considered possible that the threatened bull trout might stop to feed in the estuary at the mouth of Miller Creek.

"Our mitigation work will increase the number of smaller fish that live in and around Miller Creek. Those fish can become food for any bull trout that pass through the estuary while migrating," Lindsey said. "Increasing the food supply for a threatened species is clearly a good thing."

Lindsey noted that by maintaining a high standard for environmental mitigation, the Port is also doing the right thing for other species of fish that might be listed under the Endangered Species Act at some later date.

Among the mitigation efforts the Port will undertake are:

Removing urban creations such as weirs, bridges and bulkheads along Miller Creek and replacing them with natural logs, root wads and woody debris that can serve as hiding places for young fish.
Creating a 50 to 100-foot buffer zone along the Port's portion of Miller Creek using native shade trees. That will help keep the creek cool, and at the best temperature for fish survival.
Removing approximately 400 old or failing septic tanks, along with home heating oil tanks, in former residential areas next to the creeks.
Detaining and controlling storm water so that creeks neither flood in the winter nor go dry in the summer. Either condition has the potential to harm young fish and spawning grounds.

The Port also will remove streets and driveways, which contribute runoff contaminated with petroleum products, and will remove lawns that former residents treated with fertilizer and pesticide.

Additionally, the Port will fund a $300,000 grant program for approved restoration projects in the Miller Creek and Des Moines Creek basins. Members of the community will be encouraged to propose projects for funding.

In its Biological Opinion, the Fish & Wildlife Service also said the runway project was unlikely to adversely affect two birds protected under the ESA.

The airport's third runway is designed to reduce weather-related delays at Sea-Tac. Currently about a third of all flights to Sea-Tac are delayed by more than 15 minutes, at a cost to travelers of $200 million annually. The third runway will allow air traffic controllers to keep flights on schedule even during cloudy conditions common in the Seattle area.