Pierce, Thurston counties in running for new NW airport

A state commission Friday narrowed its list of sites for a new two-runway airport to three locations in rural Thurston and Pierce counties.

All three sites under consideration by the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission would require major new highway expansions – or mass transit lines – to reach population centers.

A representative from Futurewise expressed concern over the carbon emissions such expansions could create.

But WSDOT Aviation Planner Robert Hodgman said his team is already thinking about ways to mediate the potential environmental impact.

"We've talked with our colleagues in the rail and freight and port's division about how we could accommodate rail and eliminate a lot of those vehicle miles traveled," Hodgman said.

The three potential airport sites are well outside the urban growth boundary that constrains urban sprawl to protect farms, forests, and the health of Puget Sound.

(Update: A WSDOT spokesperson says Thurston County’s site could potentially fall partly in Lacey’s urban growth area).

The rural nature of the Pierce County locations raised alarm bells for Pierce County Councilmember Amy Cruver, who attended Friday's virtual meeting.

"The environmental impact – it is very wet out there – and my constituents who've become aware of this – no one wants it in their district," Cruver said.

The commission eliminated proposed sites for the new airport in Skagit, Snohomish, and King counties. The commission expects to narrow its recommendation to a single airport site by June 2023.

In addition to the new airport, the commission also recommended expanding Paine Field near Everett.

The Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission was created by the state Legislature to find a location for a new airport in the region.