Bellevue, WA – November 16, 2004
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined the Port of Seattle and its contractor $15,000 for allowing muddy water to escape from the Sea-Tac Airport third-runway project into Miller Creek and for continuing problems with trucks tracking dirt onto roadways near the work site.
Ecology issued the penalty jointly to the port — which owns and operates the airport — and to TTI Constructors LLC, the prime contractor. The port is constructing a large earth-fill embankment for its runway expansion project.
A pipeline carrying muddy storm water broke during heavy rains on Oct 8. Water from the break poured through a silt fence into a wetland that flows to Miller Creek. Water in the wetland was 60 times muddier than limits set by Ecology for the project. Ecology previously directed the port and TTI to improve their project oversight to detect and quickly correct water-quality problems.
Additionally, an ineffective wheel-washing system has failed to prevent trucks from tracking dirt onto State Route 518. Ecology prohibits “track-out” because rain washes the dirt into ditches and storm drains that flow to area creeks. About 100 trucks leave the site each hour after delivering fill material. Since summer, Ecology has directed the port and TTI to improve the wheel-washing system.
“We’re disappointed with these problems because, over all, this massive project has been well-managed,” said Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ecology’s regional water-quality supervisor. “The port and its contractor need to provide proper maintenance and monitoring so local creeks are protected.”
Ecology has a full-time inspector on-site to monitor construction activities, paid for by the port. The inspector observed and documented the violations that are the basis for the civil penalty action.
“We take our responsibility to protect the environment very seriously,” said Mark Reis, managing director of aviation for the Port of Seattle. “In consultation with Ecology staff, we are making the technical changes necessary to address these issues.”
The port and TTI may appeal the penalty to Ecology and to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days.
Contact: Larry Altose
Public Information
425-649-7009
pager, 206-663-1785
Water quality certification for the runway project: Sea-Tac Third Runway Water Quality Certification
Water discharge permit for Sea-Tac Airport (includes runway construction requirements): NPDES and State Waste Discharge Permits
Northwest Region
Broadcast version
The Department of Ecology has fined the Port of Seattle and its prime contractor — T-T-I Constructors — 15-thousand dollars for water-quality violations at the Sea-Tac Airport third-runway project.
A pipe carrying storm water recently broke and sent muddy water into Miller Creek.
Ecology also cited the port and contractor for not keeping trucks from tracking dirt onto nearby roads. When it rains, the dirt gets into local creeks.
Ecology officials say that, overall, the project earns passing marks for water quality, but the port and contractor need to do a better job on detecting and quickly correcting water-quality problems.
