Re: “Sea-Tac must modernize to meet the needs of a growing region” (Dec. 31, Opinion):
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s modernization should focus on smart growth, not aviation sprawl. For communities around the airport, the Port of Seattle’s pursuit of growth has meant decades of health harms and environmental injustice.
The editorial’s reference to moving “cargo facilities off site” is a euphemism. In reality, it has meant clear cutting nearby forests to build cargo warehouses — often for Amazon packages — destroying tree canopy that once helped absorb pollution, noise, heat and flooding.
Moving impacts off airport property doesn’t reduce harm; it shifts it to less powerful communities while stripping away critical environmental protections. A better passenger experience should not come at the expense of public health and the environment.
Sandy Shettler, Tree Action Seattle
