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Assignment 1

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As population growth increases, major cities are noticing a dramatic increase in congestion both on the roads and even more frustrating in Airports. Sea-Tac Airport, located just south of Seattle is one location experiencing this over population problem resulting in multiple delays and frustrated flyers. In attempt to curb this congestion, the Port of Seattle proposed to add a third runway extending the airport west toward the Valley and Kent. However, if an additional runway is added, the environment and ecosystem in surrounding communities will engage in some serious problems . <GOOD INTRO>

The construction of a third runway will destroy wetlands and salmon habits along with tainting <CAN YOU BE MORE PRECISE - WHAT KINDS OF POLLUTANTS?> the quality of water. Also, a better plan needs to be devised to control storm water runoff. <SOUNDS LIKE JUMPING TO THE 'POSITION' PART; DOE'S POSITION HERE?> The project of the third runway will be so harmful that streams in the area will need to have water piped in to increase the waterflow <WHOSE POSITION IS THIS?>. This is all taking place in an area designated as a critical habitat for bull trout and Chinook salmon. <CHECK ON THIS -- "DESIGNATED ASA CRITICAL HABITAT" INDICATES FEDERAL ACTION -- AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKELY THAT AREA WOULD QUALIFY> <YOU'VE ADDRESSED THE HUMAN-ENV. INTERACTION IN GENERAL TERMS; A FEW MORE SPECIFICS WOULD HELP; DON'T BE AFRAID TO DISCUSS WHERE THERE IS SCIENTIFIC UNCERTAINTY ABOUT POSSIBLE EFFECTS. ONLY PROBLEM IS MIXING IN DISCUSSION OF POSITIONS & DISCUSSION OF SOLUTION ALTERNATIVES WITH THE BASIC INTERACTIONS.>

<YOU NEED A PLACE HERE THAT PROCLAIMS WHY THIS IS A PROBLEM-- IE, THAT PEOPLE & OTHER SPECIES NEED CLEAN WATER... ALSO WHAT ABOUT OTHER VALUES LIKE NOISE, CONGESTION, ETC?>

It may be possible for the port to successfully build the runway, but the department of Ecology has not yet given the approval to the Port of Seattle until they can confirm that they will rebuild new wetlands, and move any portions of the various creeks that will be contaminated. They must also remove old septic tanks and manage storm-water runoff more appropriately before DOE even thinks about letting them continue with this project. Until the Port, however, works harder on satisfying the environmentalists’ <WHO ARE THESE?-- DOE IS GOVT AGENCY, NOT ENVIRONMENTALISTS> requests, they will continually be denied the permits required to press on in the construction of the third runway. In fact, many DOE regulators say that the Port of Seattle is delaying them by missing deadlines or submitting inadequate storm-water plans.

Many state officials are supportive of the third runway because the Airport is a large engine for the state's economy and an increase in its size would only help our economy to flourish.

<GOOD SHORT SUMMARY OF THE 'ISSUE'>

As in every issue, there are multiple groups of people who all hold different beliefs <THOUGH THERE MAY BE SOME OVERLAP!>, so it is important to hear all sides of the issue and understand where each individual is coming from and why they think that there thoughts supercede the other sides. Below is a list of chief players and a summary of their position, beliefs, and values.

The construction of the third runway should ultimately not be permitted because it will tamper with and disrupt the well being of the environment. DOE believes <SOUNDS MORE LIKE A VALUE THAN A BELIEF; YOU CAN HEAR THE WORD "SHOULD" IN THIS STATEMENT> it is important that we as humans do everything possible to preserve what we have and take care of our environment. It is vital that the endangered species habitats are preserved, because the well being of the environment outweighs the economic boost wanted by the Port of Seattle and other supporters. The department of Endangered species <NO SUCH THING> values the balance of our world’s ecosystem and feels that protecting the environment in all of its forms is of ultimate importance. <GOOD; THOUGH BE CAREFUL; DOE IS PRIMARILY CHARGED WITH ENFORCING CERTAIN LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF WASHINGTON; THAT IS CENTRAL TO ITS 'POSITION' ON THE ISSUE; THEY MAY ALSO BE UNDER PRESSURE TO AVOID FEDERAL ACTION ON THIS PROBLEM.>

Adding a third runway to Sea-Tac Airport will relieve travelers of much unneeded stress due to congestion and flight delays. Also knowing that the airport is a big part of Washington’s economy, the Port feels it is necessary to add on to the existing airport to further boost the economy. The Port of Seattle also believes that they would be able to replenish the environment with whatever it takes way such as creating new wetlands. The port values money and keeping its citizens happy. <GOOD START; DO A LITTLE RESEARCH ON WHAT THE 'PORT' IS, AND WHAT INTERESTS & VALUES IT TENDS TO REPRESENT.

The third runway should not be built; rather the government should invest in upgrading smaller airports around the state so that they would have more connecting flights to demanding locations. They are also concerned that the environment around them will become contaminated and the extra noise and pollution will drive them away from their homes. Homeowners believe that there are other alternatives to a third runway, but government isn’t willing to take the alternatives seriously. These people value a quite community near the water that enjoys its natural surroundings. <FIND OUT THE NAMES OF SOME OF THE GROUPS HOLDING THIS POSITION.>

<WHAT ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, AS DISTINCT FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY / HOMEOWNER GROUPS?>

The Department of Ecology should allow the Port of Seattle to obtain the necessary permits needed to begin building the runway so that some of the congestion and delays currently happening can become fewer to make more citizens happy. They believe that a majority of the people would like to see an additional runway put in, and that any problems the environmentalists are having will be fixed. Once again, the government values money and the success of the economy. <THIS NEEDS TO BE MORE SPECIFIC; ARE WE TALKING ELECTED OFFICIALS? OF WHAT CITY OF SEATTLE? WHAT ABOUT FEDERAL WAY AND KENT? PROBABLY DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS OR BODIES TEND TO EMPHASIZE DIFFERENT VALUES -- FOR EXAMPLE, YOU MENTION TWO AIMS ABOVE - MONEY, AND MAKING CITIZENS HAPPY - DO THE SAME OFFICIALS STRESS BOTH THESE? NEEDS A BIT MORE RESEARCH ON THIS POINT.

<BE SURE TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN BELIEFS (ABOUT FACTUAL MATTERS, HOW THE WORLD IS) AND VALUES (HOW THINGS SHOULD BE, WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE) IN THE ABOVE PROFILES.>

<OVERALL, GOOD START, WITH SOME NEED FOR CHECKING CERTAIN FACTUAL MATTERS, GROUPS, ETC. SOME EMPHASES NEED TO BE CLEARER, IE, ABOUT BELIEFS VS VALUES. GREAT CHOICE OF ISSUE .>