Order 2024-04 – Sound Insulation Order Page 1 of 2
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ORDER NO. 2024-04 5
AN ORDER OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 6
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…setting a timeline for the completion of the assessment of 8
prior sound insulated properties; creating a Sound Insulation 9
Repair and Replacement Pilot Program; and setting equity 10
guidelines for this program. 11
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PROPOSED 13
FEBRUARY 27, 2024 14
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TEXT OF THE ORDER 17
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The Port Commission hereby orders an assessment regarding the effectiveness of previously 19
installed Port of Seattle funded noise insulation packages be conducted and concluded by the end 20
of the year 2024. The assessment will involve extensive outreach, collection of information from 21
property owners and analysis of that information. Results of that assessment shall be delivered to 22
the Commission by January 21, 2025. 23
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The Commission also directs the establishment of a "Sound Insulation Repair and Replacement 25
Pilot Program" at the Port of Seattle to identify the issues involved in the repair and re-insulation 26
for prioritized homes. Effective immediately, the Commission authorizes an initial commitment 27
of up to $5 million dollars to be used exclusively for the costs of administering the program to 28
carry out activities related to the construction planning and construction repair and replacement of 29
sound insulation in homes identified and prioritized through the Port’s process. The Port will seek 30
state matching funds and federal grant funding (if available) as well. The Commission hereby sets 31
the goal of completing the assessment phase and beginning the construction planning and/or 32
construction phase of this pilot program in the year 2025. 33
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The Commission also authorizes the Executive Director to execute any and all contracts and 35
documents necessary for the assessment directed by this order and the Sound Insulation Repair 36
and Pilot Program including but not limited to the use of existing job order contracts, Port crews, 37
purchasing contracts, service agreements, construction contracts, agreements with private property 38
owners, and the acquisition of any property rights associated with Sound Insulation Repair and 39
Pilot Program. The total budget authorized by this Order is $6.5 million for the assessment directed 40
by this order and the Sound Insulation Repair and Replacement Pilot Program. 41
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Agenda Item: 10a_Order
Meeting Date: February 27, 2024
Order 2024-04 – Sound Insulation Order Page 2 of 2
The Port shall use its equity index or other data-driven tool developed by the Port’s Office of 46
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, as well as other program criteria to identify and prioritize 47
properties that will be part of this limited pilot program. The equity index shall help determine 48
who should receive priority consideration for repair and/or replacement of their noise insulation 49
during the pilot. 50
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Upon the completion of the pilot program, a comprehensive report shall be presented to 52
Commissioners, Washington State and Federal Legislators for evaluation and further action. 53
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STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDER 55
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In the 1980s the Port of Seattle pioneered a type of residential aircraft noise insulation program 57
that was later implemented at many other U.S. airports. The Port has recently expedited efforts to 58
insulate various types of residences and places of worship that are eligible under Federal Aviation 59
Administration guidelines but have not yet received noise insulation. This new Sound Insulation 60
Repair and Replacement Pilot Program is not part of the existing program that is providing 61
insulation to eligible buildings that have not yet received any insulation. This new Sound Insulation 62
Repair and Replacement Pilot Program is not part of the Part 150 program. 63
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Commissioners routinely hear from constituents that due to several factors, including the age and 65
durability of sound insulation installed several decades ago, some of the Port funded sound 66
insulation packages may no longer be effective. In response to these community concerns and 67
federal noise mandates, this pilot includes an assessment regarding insulation packages paid for 68
by the Port. The Port has not yet identified the number of residents who may have packages not 69
meeting noise standards and in need of repair, which this Order also intends to rectify. 70
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Both past and present members of the Port’s federal legislative delegation have made efforts to 72
secure federal funds for noise insulation in the communities surrounding SEA. The Port has also 73
supported/advocated for legislative changes to address the issue of re-insulation. Since 1985, the 74
Port’s sound insulation program has reached out to every single homeowner within the relevant 65 75
DNL noise contour and provided sound insulation to over 9000 homes. There are currently 76
approximately 100 homes that have not received packages for a variety of reasons. Additionally, 77
the program is currently providing insulation to apartment buildings, condominiums and places of 78
worship. The Port is committed to completing the insulation of the currently eligible buildings 79
while concurrently making progress to identify, evaluate, and repair packages that may be in need 80
of this work. This Order intends to pilot a solution so that the Port of Seattle can continue to lead 81
the nation in resolving this issue. 82
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This Order seeks to start a process that will, in a deliberate, equitable, and prioritized fashion, 84
provide Port funding to assist in the repair and replacement of eligible noise insulation. 85
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