The Port of Seattle agreed to withdraw its application for awetlands permit yesterday because of concerns by the DOE that theplan didn't sufficiently handle water runoff at the airport. Theagency also expressed concern about the effect on stream flow innearby Miller, Walker and Des Moines creeks.

While DOE officials say they have no intention of killing thethird runway project by rejecting the application and believe that"the port is on the right path conceptually", opponents of theairport expansion are confident that the decision will deliver adevastating blow to the project and could delay the project by asmuch as three years. Port officials dismiss such talk and predictthat the expansion project, which is estimated to cost a staggering$770 million, will still be finished in late 2006 as planned.

To meet DOE requirements, the Port must, among other things,demonstrate that it has a source of water to augment the flows inDes Moines, Miller and Walker Creeks during the hot summer monthswhen water is low. Port officials have given themselves a two-monthtime line to meet the requirements and believe they will getapproval for the wetlands permit in 60 days.