THE STATE 

of ALASKA 

GOY ERNOR SEAN P A RN ELI. 

June 24, 2014 

Mr. Kevin Schlemmer 

Chief, EAS and Domestic Analysis Division 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 

Washington DC 20590 

Department of Transportation and 

Public Facilities 

DIVISION OF STATEWIDE AVIATION 

P.O. Box 196900 

Anc11orage, Alaska 99 5 19-6900 

Main: 907.269.0730 

Fax: 907.269.0489 

Re: Air Transportation to Non-Eligible Places, Diomede, Alaska (DM2) 

Docket DOT -OST -2009-0260 

Dear Mr. Schlemmer 

This letter is to express our support for the continuation of the Essential Air Service (EAS) and Air 

Transportation to Non-Eligible Places (A TNEP) programs in Alaska and the crucial connection they 

bring to our remote communities. 

Under Essential Air Service (EAS) all of funding necessary to ensure a community access to the national 

transportation system is provided by the Federal Government. However because Diomede did not have 

scheduled air service when EAS program was created, it was NOT listed as an EAS-eligible community. 

Thus this vital helicopter service is subsidized under the 49 U.S.C § 41736, Air Transportation to Noneligible Places (A TNEP) program, which provides that any subsidy provided by a non-federal entity will 

be matched by U.S. DOT on a dollar-for-dollar basis. 

Cunently Diomede's service and subsidy under A TNEP is set by Order 20 13-6-1 1, June 11 , 2013, 

which selected Evergreen Helicopters Inc. to provide the service through June 30, 2014 when the 

selection expires. Order 2013-6-11 subsidizes one round trip per week between Diomede and Nome and 

between Diomede and Wales for 44 weeks per year. The State of Alaska, Department of Commerce, 

Community, and Economic Development provides $188,760 annual subsidy via a grant to Diomede's 

community representative, Kawerak Inc., with U.S. DOT providing a like amount to the air service 

provider. The State of Alaska understands this arrangement will continue with air service to be provided 

by Erickson Helicopters Inc. beginning July 1, 2014 for two years depending on funding availability. 

"Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure." 
Neither the ATNEP program nor the State of Alaska have conditions or requirements that specifies the 

ticket price that Erickson Helicopters Inc. may charge the flying public. After all, the air service 

company is a private for-profit business that needs to make a profit. However we also understand that 

due to the isolated location of Little Diomede Island and the complete lack of any road system 

connection, this subsidized air service is the community's only form of scheduled transportation. The 

community depends on scheduled air freight, passenger, and mail service for basic necessities, routine 

medical and health services, and economic welfare. 

While the State of Alaska provides a 50% matching grant through Kawerak, the State continues to asse11 

that the local residents are generally best positioned to comment on particular schedules or air carriers, 

and therefore we think the community should provide comments to you on those specific issues. 

I respectfully urge U.S. DOT to continue the ATNEP program service at Diomede, Alaska. 

Sincerely 

Judy Chapman, C.M. 

Division Operations Manager