Port of Olympia, WA - Official Website

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Airport Noise Abatement

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1. Who can I call to complain about noisy or low-flying aircraft?: To report noise from a civilian aircraft, citizens can contact the Olympia Airport Office via email or by calling 360.528.8079. For a military aircraft, please call Lewis McChord with Joint Base at 253.967.0852.

2. Why doesn’t the airport have information about who is flying a bothersome aircraft? Don’t pilots have to file a flight plan with the airport?: Pilots do not have to file a flight plan with the airport. Aircraft flights are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control Procedures Branch. Thus, it is the jurisdiction of the FAA. Aircraft can and do arrive at the airport with no prior notice. Likewise, aircraft depart the airport at any time without informing the airport of their intended flight plans. The airport is open 24 hours a day.

3. Why do big military aircraft fly over Olympia at night and why do they fly so low?: Military aircraft have published training areas and training routes. Often military flights seem lower because aircraft are larger and/or louder, and studies have shown that people react more strongly to noise at nighttime. For more information, citizens can call Joint Base Lewis McChord at 353.967.0852.

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Engineering

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1. I am a contractor or a vendor. How can I do business with the Port?: Visit our Contracting with the Port page for information on contracting opportunities.

2. What is TWIC and is it required for contractors?: TWIC stands for Transportation Worker Identification Credential.

Effective February 28, 2009, all workers in the Puget Sound area (this includes contractors and consultants) need a TWIC card to gain unescorted access to secure areas of facilities and vessels regulated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA). Further information is included in the bid documents.

More information on the TWIC Program is available at the Transportation Security Administration’s website. The contract documents will state whether a TWIC card is required for that project or not.

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Environmental

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1. Is the Port involved with the general cleanup of Budd Inlet? What role do other entities play?: The Port participates with other governmental organizations on Budd Inlet cleanup and restoration opportunities through the Budd Inlet Restoration Interlocal Agreement. Partners in the agreement are the Port, City of Olympia, LOTT Clean Water Alliance, Washington State University Extension and Thurston County.

2. What has the Port done to prevent damage to its properties from earthquakes?: The Port complies with international and local building codes in both new construction and remodel work. Projects are designed to withstand a major earthquake with little or no damage. This was demonstrated in 2001 with the 6.8 Nisqually earthquake, which resulted in no damage to the Marine Terminal shipping berths and only light damage to the warehouse. This allowed the Port to be fully functional and ready to respond to the emergency as needed. The Cascade Pole sediment containment cells are designed to withstand a 100-200 year earthquake, with the berm along the shoreline designed for a 300-400 year earthquake.

3. What is the Port doing in anticipation of potential sea-level rise?: The Port is meeting all the requirements of the City of Olympia. Specifically, as part of the ongoing Cascade Pole Site cleanup and management, approximately 1,110 feet of shoreline at the northeastern part of the Port Peninsula have either already been, or will be, raised 3-5 feet.

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Executive

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1. How do I get on your email list?: Sign up or call 360.528.8000.

2. Do you have any job openings?: View our job openings.

3. Why do people have to go through security to reach the Port Administration offices?: The Port administration offices are on the Port's Marine Terminal. All marine facilities are regulated by Homeland Security which requires the security check. Port staff and tenants, as well as the general public, are required to show valid ID when entering the facility.

4. What is a Port?: Port districts are municipal corporations. A Washington law allows citizens to create port districts through a vote of the people. Their primary function is economic development through such things as marine shipping terminals, marinas, docks, airports, railroads and industrial sites.

5. How old is the Port of Olympia?: The port was established in 1922 by the citizens of Thurston county through a vote to create the Port of Olympia.

6. What area does the Port district cover? Is it just the City of Olympia?: The Port of Olympia has the same boundaries as Thurston County and includes all of its cities, towns, and unincorporated areas.

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Finance

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1. How many jobs does the Port create?: According to the 2009 Economic Impact Study, the income levels generated by the Port and its tenants equate to 3,043 direct jobs, 1,390 induced jobs, and 2,816 indirect jobs. There are a total 7,249 jobs generated by Port activity.

2. How much tax money does the Port collect?: In fiscal year 2010, the Port collected $4.6 million in property taxes. The tax rate was $0.17 per $1,000 of assessed property value, equating to $34 for a $200,000 home. The amount collected by the Port represented 1.48% of the total property taxes collected in Thurston County

3. How does the Port use the taxes it collects?: Primarily to pay off bond debt principle and interest for major capital investments such as Cascade Pole cleanup, Olympia Airport security gates, additional docks at Swantown Marina and streets and utilities at the East Bay redevelopment. Any remaining taxes first go towards environmental projects and lastly to non-bonded capital investments.

4. What portion of the Port's operating costs are funded by taxes?: Absolutely no property tax money is used for the Port’s day-to-day operations.

5. Are there any Ports in Washington that do not collect taxes?: One. All other Class A and major ports rely on some form of property taxes. The Port of Olympia collects the fourth lowest amount of the 23 in its category.

6. When is the budget prepared?: Budget preparation begins in August and the Commission adopts the final budget at its second meeting in November.

7. Is the Port operating profitably?: In fiscal year 2010, the Port generated sufficient operating revenue to cover all operating expenses as well as all overhead and still leave more than $900,000 for operating surplus.

8. Why doesn't the private sector operate the Port?: Like ports across the nation, the Port of Olympia takes on environmental cleanup projects such as Cascade Pole, and offers transportation infrastructures for marine, air and rail. These are not highly profitable yet need to be done for public use and public safety, international trade and economic development, and to make land and water usable again. Further, grants for cleanups and transportation infrastructure are available to public entities like ports and cities, but not to private businesses.

9. Will there be a time when the Port no longer needs to collect property taxes?: Potentially, though this is not known. The Port is currently committed to capital bond payments through 2027. Historically, Ports use property taxes as a means of raising large amounts of money to complete major community investment projects. Therefore, commissioners are always looking at the cost/benefit of continued taxing (currently $30 on a $200,000 home) versus community benefit.

10. Do the Port's books comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles?: Yes. Additionally, these governmentally established standards are the basis of annual financial audits conducted by the State Auditor on all Port financial records.

11. What is the Port's economic impact?: According to the 2009 Economic Impact Study, the Port of Olympia activities generated $350.7 million in wages, salaries, and local consumption to the local and regional economy.

12. How many people work for the Port?: 43 full-time staff and another 7 who are in positions that are part-time, seasonal or project related.

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Homepage

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1. What jobs are available at the Port of Olympia?: View the job opportunities page. For information on longshore "casual" jobs, please contact the longshore hall at 360.357.5915 or the state's unemployment office.

2. I am a contractor or a vendor. How can I do business with the Port?: Visit our Contracting with the Port page for information on contracting opportunities.

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Olympia Regional Airport

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1. Does the airport have passenger airline service?: There are currently no passenger airlines providing service at the Olympia Airport. Limited commercial air service has been offered throughout the airport's history. The Port's intent is to have passenger air service in the future.

2. Can B-747's land at the Olympia Regional Airport?

No, the airport runways, taxiways and parking areas are not designed for aircraft that large, and there are currently no plans to change the airport configuration. Nor can the airport routinely accept:

B-727

B-737

B-757

B-767

Similar aircraft

In some cases, exceptions can be made for a one-time operation for a special circumstance, such as an aircraft engineering modification.

The airport can accept large business jets and 50- or 70-seat regional jets, regional turboprop commuter type aircraft and small general aviation aircraft. Additionally, any type of helicopter can operate at the Olympia Airport.

3. Are there charter companies in Olympia that I could hire to fly me someplace?: There are no charter companies operating at the Olympia Airport, but both of our FBOs will arrange charters for people. If interested, contact either Glacier Aviation at 360.705.3214, or Jorgensen Air Service at 360.754.4043.

4. Are scenic flights offered over the area?

There are two businesses at the Olympia Airport that offer short scenic flights. We encourage people to contact both to see what they offer. The businesses are:

Glacier Aviation

Jorgensen Air Service

5. Will the runway at the Olympia Airport be extended to accommodate larger planes?: There are currently no plans to extend the runway. Forecasted air traffic currently doesn’t justify extending the runway. Should air traffic projections increase, extending the runway will be reevaluated.

6. Who can I call to complain about noisy or low flying aircraft?: To report noise from a civilian aircraft, citizens can contact the Olympia Airport Office via email or by calling 360.528.8079. For a military aircraft, please call Joint Base Lewis McChord at 253.967.0852.

7. Why do big military aircraft fly over Olympia at night and why do they fly so low?: Military aircraft have published training areas and training routes. Often military flights seem lower because aircraft are larger and/or louder, and studies have shown that people react more strongly to noise at nighttime. For more information, citizens can call Joint Base Lewis McChord at 353.967.0852.

8. Is the Port of Olympia doing anything to bring air service back to Olympia?: Port staff stays in contact with national, regional, commuter, air taxi and charter airline representatives. They regularly pursue opportunities that may be a good fit.

9. Will commercial service be expanded to Olympia when SeaTac reaches capacity?: The Olympia Regional Airport runway is not suitable for regular passenger service by B-737’s and larger. It is too short and the planes are too heavy.

10. Why are there no air charter services operating at the Olympia Airport?: Market demand drives whether companies offer passenger or charter services from a specific airport. Businesses won’t locate here unless they believe they can operate profitably. Many factors play into their decisions including route structure, aircraft and crew availability, weather, airport facilities and estimated passenger volumes.

11. Why are there no airlines serving Olympia?: Market demand drives whether companies offer passenger or charter services from a specific airport. Businesses won’t locate here unless they believe they can operate profitably. Many factors play into their decisions including route structure, aircraft and crew availability, weather, airport facilities and estimated passenger volumes.

12. How low can helicopters and airplanes fly?: Federal Aviation Regulations allow helicopters to be operated at a height that is not hazardous to persons or property on land. For planes, other than for takeoff and landing, they may fly no lower than the following altitudes:
• Over congested areas of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
• Over other than congested areas an altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

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Real Estate

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1. What real estate does the Port own on behalf of Thurston County citizens to encourage economic development?: The Port has property in two main areas: Airport Properties including New Market Industrial Campus in Tumwater, and the Port Peninsula in downtown Olympia which includes the Market, East Bay and NorthPoint districts. View maps of Airport and Peninsula Properties.

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Seaport

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1. How can I get a quote to use your Port to ship or receive cargo?: Please call 360.528.8033 or visit the rates and services requests page.

2. What security restrictions / regulations do I need to be aware of before I visit the Port?: All visitors must present a valid, government issued identification in order to visit the Port offices. For more detail on security regulations and TWIC requirements, please view the security page.

3. What jobs are available at the Port of Olympia?: View the job opportunities page. For information on longshore "casual" jobs, please contact the longshore hall at 360.357.5915 or the state's unemployment office.