1. Happy Earth Day -celebrating 55 years

2. New Leadership Coming at Seatac Airport

3. Imagine a Greener Des Moines 

4. Trees in Normandy Park

5. Des Moines Seeking Applicants for Airport Commission

6. Senate Bill 5652 Update

Port Leadership Change

Contact the Port of Seattle Commission here to request they engage the public in the hiring process of their new Airport Managing Director by hosting an open house or other public forum for community members to meet with and dialogue with final candidates for this consequential position.

Who will assume leadership at SeaTac Airport?

After serving as Managing Director at SeaTac Airport for more than nine years, Lance Lyttle moved on earlier this month to become the new director of Orlando International Airport in Florida.

When Lyttle started at SeaTac in 2016, the Airport served 45.7 million passengers and had 104 total nonstop destinations with 24 airlines. By last year, this had grown to 128 destinations with 40 airlines, with passenger numbers reaching a new overall record of 52.6 million last year, and a rise in international flights. Currently, SeaTac Airport provides 55 services to 35 nonstop international destinations with 28 airlines.

The next managing director will be taking over at a time of projected additional growth for the Airport, with the Port of Seattle advocating for a Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) that would bring in more than 30 near-term projects. Among these would be a new, 19-gate terminal at SeaTac, along with an automated people-mover with three stations to connect the rental car facility, new terminal, and main terminal. Other projects would include airfield, cargo, and road and parking projects to handle increased congestion. The SAMP is currently under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis, and once that is finalized, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental review will follow. If these projects pass muster with the environmental agencies, they are slated to be completed or under construction by 2032. For more on the status of the SAMP, visit SeaTacNoise.info’s evaluation here and here.

Of longstanding concern to airport-adjacent communities particularly north of the airport, there are five Near-Term Projects being proposed adjacent to or near North SeaTac Park. These are noted in the proposed maps:

· L05 – North GT Holding Lot – 8.5 acres,

· L07 – Employee Parking Structure – 5.2 acres,

· S10 – Consolidated Resource and Recovery Facility – 5.6 acres,

· C01 – Offsite Cargo Phase 1 – 21.5 acres,

· C02 – Offsite Cargo Phase 2 – 12.7 acres.

Thanks to the advocacy of citizens and the responsiveness of elected officials, the Port of Seattle and the City of SeaTac are having ongoing discussions regarding permanently protecting North SeaTac Park. The Port Commission passed an order in 2024 which outlined the steps to be taken by Port staff relative to exercising the provision requested in the FAA Reauthorization bill regarding permanent protection of the park. That work, and discussions with the City of SeaTac, have been ongoing.

Although the hiring process to replace Lyttle has not yet begun, the Port will be working with an outside recruitment firm to assist with the search, including external outreach, interviewing, and vetting of candidates. Once a final candidate for the Airport Managing Director position has been identified, Port of Seattle Executive Director Stephen Metruck will appoint this person into the role. There has been no indication yet that there will be an opportunity for the public to meet with candidates in advance of a final decision, although this is something the Defenders of Highline Forest will be advocating for.

Contact the Des Moines City Council citycouncil@desmoineswa.gov and request the Council insert language in the Conservation and Environment Element (Chapter 4) of the “Imagine Des Moines 2044” Comprehensive Plan that sets the goal of achieving 40% tree canopy for the City of Des Moines by 2044.

In an April 3rd Des Moines City Council working session, the council reviewed the Conservation and Environment Element (Chapter 4) in the City’s proposed Comprehensive Plan (“Imagine Des Moines 2044”). The language in this document indicates an interest toward providing more robust protections for Des Moines’ tree canopy over the next 20 years.

In a section on promoting the preservation of native vegetation and mature trees to improve air and water quality as well as fish and wildlife habitat, there are new suggestions to maintain a permitting process that requires review prior to tree removal or pruning, and to adhere to a replacement ratio for the removal or damage of any trees that were meant to be retained in new developments. Other proposals would seek to protect and maintain tree canopy by seeking grant opportunities to acquire additional forested land, and to create tree replacement policies on privately owned land, and to develop programs for planting and maintenance of new trees.

What the “Imagine Des Moines 2044” document does not do, however, is establish the goal of achieving 40% tree canopy for the city, a concept whose viability was advanced by Forterra’s Green City Partnerships initiative in 2017, when that environmental group stated “From the land-cover analysis we conducted, the Partnership estimated that, as of 2017, Des Moines had a canopy cover of 29%. However, in the Pacific Northwest, where cities now cover land that was once dense forests, there is a capacity for 40% or more canopy cover. In order to achieve this, the City of Des Moines would need to plant approximately 25,000 new trees — which would then give back $4.7 million in eco-benefits annually to the city.” Des Moines City Council meeting on January 30, the council voted 4-3  against purchasing the land from the WA Department of Transportation (WSDOT), voting against safeguarding this space for future generations, and destroying more of Des Moines already severely compromised tree canopy. In 2023, that land parcel was rezoned for residential housing.

Art by Clare Parfitt

Unique among the cities close to Seatac airport, Normandy Park has an impressive tree canopy of 46%. This is uncommon for a city located within a large urban area. This percentage of tree canopy is second only to Black Diamond for all cities within King County.

Especially notable is the number of giant sequoias found within the city. These majestic trees are native to the West side of the Sierras in California, growing between 4,000 and 8,000 feet in elevation. They are not native to Washington state but do well in Western Washington when planted. The trees grow rapidly and provide wildlife habitat and beauty, as well as being especially effective at storing carbon and combating climate change.

According to one resident, the city’s giant sequoias got their start in the 1950s when a first grade teacher gave out seedlings to her students. The children planted them, and seventy+ years later, these impressive giants are the result. The local organization Propagation Nation advocates for planting giant sequoias as well as coastal redwoods in the Puget Sound area due to their massive environmental benefits.

As stated on the city’s website: “The City of Normandy Park is committed to the preservation and protection of our tree canopy. Trees provide important aesthetic, environmental, and economic benefits and are an integral part of the City of Normandy Park’s character.”

The city’s commitment to maintaining and planting trees is impressive and should be an inspiration for all neighboring Seatac communities

Des Moines Airport Committee Recruiting Members

At the Des Moines City Council meeting several months ago, the council voted to create an airport committee. The city is now seeking applicants to serve on the committee. Visit the application portal to apply or scan the QR code below.

Senate Bill 5652 Update

SB 5652 was stalled in committee by the Environment, Energy and Technology committee. This session, Senators Orwall, Hasegawa, Nobles and Valdez introduced a bill to address health issues of residents living in the communities surrounding SeaTac International Airport. UW studies have documented significant health disparities and reduced life expectancies for those living closest to the airport.

Volunteer Activities in YOUR City

Burien

Saturday April 26, 12 pm-3:00pm
Hilltop Park Restoration

In partnership with Dirt Corps and the Green Burien Partnership, ESC hosts a paid restoration internship with Innovation Heights Academy students. This public Earth Day restoration is the culmination of their efforts where they will lead us in various projects throughout the park and present their semester work. Projects may include invasive plant removals, soil prep, and more. Registration is required for all participants. Registration

Saturday April 26, 12 pm-3:00pm
Free Soil Testing event Details

Shark Garden/New Starts Community Garden  
614 SW 120th Street, Seattle, WA 98146

Normandy Park

Saturday April 26, 10am-12:00pm
Arbor Day Celebration at Marvista Park

The City of Normandy Park is hosting an Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 26th, from 10 am to 12pm. We’ll give away free trees, host crafts, and provide environmental education. There will be an Ask the Arborist Station, stormwater education, and a new free book exchange where you can take a book or leave one! Overflow parking will be available at the Marvista Elementary School parking lot, accessible off Marine View Drive SW. Join for the fun day to celebrate trees in the city. Details

Tukwila

Go here to sign up for ongoing events.

Support the Defenders 

As always, Defenders of Highline Forest welcome volunteers to help with the newsletter, fundraising, and advocacy campaigns. Want to lend a hand in 2025? We’d love to have you! Contact info@defendersofhighlineforest.org 

Content Contributors

Content for this edition of your Defenders of Highline Forest newsletter was provided by Barbara McMichael, Clare Parfitt and Eileen Lambert.