### BettyL. Bean Pelican, 

### AK 99832 Email: November 6, 2014

Mr. Todd Homan, Director Office ofAviationAnalysis US Department ofTransportation 1200NewJersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Mr. Homan: 

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I wishto address the consideration being givenby the US Department ofTransportationto cut essential air service to Juneau, Alaskain favor ofSitka, Alaska for the small isolated communities ofTenakee Springs, Angoon and Pelican. Elfin Cove will also be affected bythe chosen air service to Pelican. It's my understanding that governing statutes for the US Department ofTransportation is that they consider four carrier-selection criteria; the criteriabeing service reliability, contractual and marketing arrangements with a larger carrier at the hub, interline arrangements with a larger carrier at the hub and community views. Alaska Seaplanes in Juneau meets all ofthese factors. Our communities are guaranteed scheduled air service under the 1978 Airline Regulation Act as providedbythe US DOT Essential Air Service Program. Additionally, Determination 80-1-167 stipulates thatthe communities ofTenakee Springs, Angoon and Pelican are entitledto essential air service to and from the Juneauregional air service hub. To grant Sitka-basedHarris Air the essential air service would be a great inconvenience to our small communities inNorthern Southeast Alaska. Alaska Seaplanes has provided us with safe and reliable service for 17 years and continually strives to make improvements inthe services they're able to offer; marketing our businesses in and outside ofAlaska for an example. They have a large fleet ofaircraft so they are able to accommodate a heavy passenger base during the sunlffier months when visitors frequent our community. This is not only an income for our residents but an income for local businesses as well. People in Pelican depend on their sUlllffier income to make ends meet during the winter months. Sitka-based Harris Air, inmy opinion, would not be able to provide us withthe frequency ofair service; hence, it would inconvenience travelers and cause delays in freight and mail delivery. Also, in consideration ofthe reductionin scheduled passenger and freight service, Harris Air'srates would most likely be substantially increased overthose established by Alaska Seaplanes, making travel to Sitka cost prohibitive.Todd Homan -2- November 6, 2014 I cannot speak for the communities ofTenakee Springs and Angoon, but the residents in Pelican depend onJuneau for most, ifnot all, oftheir medical needs, shopping and otherpersonal and business matters. Sitkaresidents are also·knownto shop in Juneau as the larger populace supports a broader shopping experience at less expense. Sitkahas medical facilities but on a much lesser scale than Juneau. Again, Juneau is a much larger city and can support a larger scale ofmedical expertise. All things considered, substituting a Sitkahub for the longstanding Juneau air service hub would present an all-around hardship for Pelican, Tenakee Springs and Angoon. Itis myhope that you will give our communities your uppermost consideration as youmake the decision whether ornot to designate Sitka or designate Juneau as the essential air service. Sincerely,



# ~7/ff~49~ BettfL. Bean
Cc: The Honorable MarkBegich United States Senate One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 308 Juneau, AK 99801
The Honorable Don Young U.S. House ofRepresentatives 4241 B Street, Suite 203 Anchorage, AK 99503
The Honorable LisaMurkowski United States Senate 800 Glacier Avenue, Suite 101 Juneau, AK 99801