Some of the fragile peace between the Port of Seattle and neighboring airport communities has washed away this winter after a string of environmental incidents at the third runway site.

The state Ecology Department has fined the Port of Seattle and TTI Constructors, the Port's main contractor, $81,000 for allowing six releases of muddy water from the runway construction project into Miller and Walker creeks and for pumping industrial waste water into a storm-water treatment system.

Ecology officials, who earlier praised the Port’s efforts, last week also ordered the Port to account for its control of stormwater runoff.

The Port operates Sea-Tac International Airport.

Ecology’s order cited six incidents between October and December:

On. Oct. 13, two separate water violations were documented. Dirty water discharged into Miller Creek through a hole in the filter fabric; later that day, a storm drain catch basin, which discharged into Miller Creek, was not plugged.

On Oct. 31, uncovered manholes caused turbid water to flow into Lake Reba.

The following day, dirty water leaked out of a detention pond into Miller Creek.

When a contractor began work on the morning of Nov. 4, he discovered a temporary detention pond plug had failed during the night.

Approximately 1.5 million gallons of muddy water spilled into Walker Creek ending up in Puget Sound. Ecology noted that spawning salmon were present in Walker and Miller creeks.

While a pipe was being dismantled on Dec. 5, water drained onto unstable soil that washed into Miller Creek.

And on Dec. 15, “the contractor was caught” pumping wastewater from the truck wheel wash water pond into another pond.

Ecology’s order also mentioned another accident on Nov. 26 not related to third runway construction. Some 2.5 million gallons of industrially contaminated stormwater flowed into Des Moines Creek.

Ecology is demanding the Port develop a detailed schematic of its third-runway project, thoroughly evaluate operations and maintenance and make a detailed evaluation of training procedures.

Spokesman Larry Altose, declared last week, "These are serious violations. Ecology expects the penalties and order to mark a return to the higher performance that prevailed before this past fall.”

In November, Bob Wright, Ecology’s on-site inspector, observed, “All in all, for a project of this magnitude, the Port has been doing a good job.”

Airport Director Mark Reis also notified Highline Forum members of another unauthorized discharge of construction stormwater by a contractor on Jan. 3.

In a letter to forum members, Reis wrote, “These problems are of great concern to us and are unacceptable in the frequency that we have been experiencing them.

“We are also exploring what additional remedies we may bring to bear on responsible individuals or companies.”

The Port set up the forum with neighboring cities to foster communication and cooperation.

Forum members include the cities of Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, SeaTac, Tukwila and Federal Way and the Highline School District.

Port critic Brett Fish said, “The communities are encouraged by the department’s actions in trying to understand the Port’s problems and get to the bottom of them.”

The chairman of Citizens Against Sea-Tac Expansion, an anti third-runway private group, Fish said he has observed several unexplained stormwater surges in Miller Creek.

Port staffers have suggested the surges may be coming from Burien’s detention pond near Five Corners, but Fish dismisses the contention.

“I encourage Ecology and the Port to have greater oversight over the contractors and construction,” he added.

Port commission president Patricia Davis said stormwater runoff and waster water releases are the most difficult issues environmental issues to address.

"It is very disappointing to have a strong track record of environmental management marred by the incidents that occurred last fall," Davis noted. ""We are asking our staff to intensify prevention, oversight, training and compliance."

Eric Mathison can be reached at hteditor@robinsonnews.com or 206-444-4873.