SOUTHEAST ALASKA CONSORTIUM

June 11, 2012

Sponsor: City of Pelican, Alaska USA

Congressional Code: AK – At Large

Dun & Bradstreet Number: 128-727-005

Tax Identification Number (EIN): 92-6000158

Application for Federal Support for Current Essential Air Service (EAS) via:

E-Ticketing / Interlining Access

Global Distribution Access

Inbound Advertising/Marketing Program

SOUTHEAST ALASKA CONSORTIUM: 

ANGOON, PELICAN, ELFIN COVE & TENAKEE SPRINGS 

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program

Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

DOCKET DOT-DOS-OST-2012-0069
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Southeast Alaska Consortium • Small Community Air Service Development Grant Proposal • June 2012 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introductory Letter of Support 3

Summary Information – Appendix C 4

Introduction 7

The Air Service Market 10

Air Service Needs and Deficiencies 12

Strategic Plan 14

Connecting the Consortium to Global Distribution Systems 14

Marketing the Consortium’s Newfound Connectivity 14

Program Costs & Funding 17

Public/Private Partnership 20

Legal Sponsor 20

Conclusion 21

Appendix 22

Letters of Support 27

Section Page
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INTRODUCTORY LETTER OF SUPPORT

SUMMARY INFORMATION – APPENDIX C
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Small Community Air Service Development Program

Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

A. Applicant Information

 Not a Consortium Community now receives EAS subsidy

 Interstate Consortium Intrastate Consortium

 Community previously received a Small Community Grant

 If previous recipient, Date of Grant: ________________________________

Expiration date of Grant: _______________________

Federal Funds Requested: ______________________

Carrier(s) Service Obtained: ____________________

Destination(s) Served: __________________________

B. Public/Private Partnership

Public:

City of Angoon

The unincorporated community of Elfin Cove

City of Pelican

City of Tenakee Springs

Private:

Alaska Seaplane Service ($35,000)

Juneau Empire newspaper ($15,000)

Village Corporation – Kootznoowoo, Inc. (Tribal Corporation)

Highliner Lodge & Charters

Pelican Chamber of Commerce

Tenakee Inn

Tenakee Springs Business Association

All Season Construction

Cougar Productions

Davis Rentals

Fishing Bear Charters

Party Time Bakery

Ravenhill

Rosie’s Blue Moon Café 

St. Francis Chapel
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Southeast Alaska Consortium • Small Community Air Service Development Grant Proposal • June 2012 5

Snyder Mercantile

Tenakee Advisory School Board

Tenakee Eco Tours

Tenakee Historical Society

Tenakee Hot Springs Lodge

Tenakee Wood

West End Woodworks

C. Project Proposal

 Marketing Upgrade Aircraft New Route

 Travel Bank Service Restoration Subsidy

 Surface Transportation Regional Service Revenue Guarantee

 Launch New Carrier Start-Up Cost Offset First Service

 Study Secure Additional Service Other (GDS Visibility)

D. Existing Landing Aids at Airport

 Full ILS Outer/Middle Marker Published Instrument Approach

 Localizer Other:

E. Project Cost

1. Federal amount requested: $ 495,000

2. State cash financial contribution: $ 0

Local cash financial contribution:

3a. Airport cash funds: $ 0

3b. Non-Airport cash funds: $ 50,000

3. Total local cash funds: $ 50,000

4. TOTAL CASH FUNDING: $ 545,000

In-Kind Contribution:

a. Airport In-Kind contribution: $ Undetermined value

b. Other In-Kind contribution: $ Undetermined value

5. TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION: $ Undetermined value

6. TOTAL PROJECT COST: $ 545,000 + In-Kind
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F. In-Kind Contributions

The Consortium’s private supporters will, whenever possible, promote air service and new 

ticketing capabilities to local contacts, employees and visitors through the addition of 

information in private websites and private marketing via brochures, tradeshows and reservation 

information.

In addition, the Juneau Empire newspaper will offer a total of over $17,331 in in-kind support as 

part of and advertising package in that newspaper.

G. Is Application Subject to Review by State Under Executive Order 12372 Process?

 This application was made available to the state under the Executive Order 12372 

Process for review on ______.

 Program is subject to E.O 12372, but has not been selected by the state for review.

 Program is not covered by E.O 12372.

H. Is Applicant Delinquent on any Federal Debt?

 No
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INTRODUCTION

The Problem

Screenshot from KAYAK

Screenshot from Expedia

As far as global travelers are concerned, the communities of Angoon, Elfin Cove, Pelican and 

Tenakee Springs do not exist as destinations. As can be seen above either an error message is 

received when trying to book flights to Angoon from Seattle or the internet user is “re-directed” 

to flights offered to Lugano, Switzerland (LUG-Agno), as that most closely matches, in the 

computer’s programming, Angoon’s three letter identifier (AGN)

Without a presence in a global distribution system (GDS) visitors to, and travelers from, these 

communities must a)have pre-knowledge that seaplane service is available to these 

destinations; or b)stumble across the existence of these communities and the flights they offer,

via the Essential Air Service Program, and book tickets separately. In either case, the expense 

and utility of these options is prohibitive in having users frequent the air service provided.
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The Solution

The communities have formed a Consortium and, along with Alaska Seaplanes, are seeking 

federal grant funds to put these communities on the map. Funds will be used primarily for a 

three-year period to form the framework of a marketing push to entice more people to visit, stay, 

invest and spend money in southeast Alaska. At the end of the three-year period the goal is to 

have generated enough new passengers and cargo to pay for the continuation of the GDS 

connectivity by Alaska Seaplanes.

GDS, Travel Agents and Travel Sites 

GDS refers to “Global Distribution System”. The GDS is essentially a network of about five major 

travel agency / airline reservation systems. The main ones in the U.S. are Sabre, Apollo/Galileo, 

Worldspan, and Amadeus. By connecting to a GDS, Alaska Seaplanes schedules and fares 

would be available for travel agents subscribed to that GDS. Additionally, several of the GDS 

are actually the “back-end” of the major travel sites. For example, Sabre hosts Travelocity, 

Expedia, and several of the smaller sites. Apollo hosts Orbitz and Priceline. 

Background

Alaska Seaplane Service connects the Essential Air Service communities of Angoon, Elfin Cove, 

Pelican, and Tenakee Springs (Consortium) in Southeast Alaska with Juneau. The communities, 

all located within the Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, have an area population of 2,150. The area 

is home to some of the best fishing grounds in Alaska and some of the most “untouched” 

Alaskan wilderness and landscape.

Angoon is the only permanent settlement on 

Admiralty Island, located on the southwest coast at 

Kootznoowoo Inlet. Angoon is 55 miles southwest of 

Juneau and 41 miles northeast of Sitka. Admiralty 

Island has long been the home of the Kootznoowoo

("fortress of bears") Tlingit tribe. Many summer homes 

have developed on Killisnoo Island. Angoon is 

accessible only by float plane or boat.

Angoon
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Elfin Cove lies on the northern shore of Chichagof 

Island, approximately 33 miles west of Hoonah and 

70 miles by air and 85 miles by boat west of Juneau. 

The community is only accessible by small seaplane 

or boat. Elfin Cove is a fish-buying and supply center 

for fishermen. Most residents participate in 

commercial fishing, sport fishing, and charter 

services, so the economy is highly seasonal. Summer 

lodges and local retail businesses also provide 

seasonal employment.

Pelican is located on the northwest coast of 

Chichagof Island on Lisianski Inlet. It lies 80 miles north 

of Sitka and 70 miles west of Juneau. Most of the 

community is built on pilings over the tidelands. 

Commercial fishing is the mainstay of Pelican's 

economy. In 2010, more than 30% of residents held 

commercial fishing permits. The commercial fishing 

sector provides most employment opportunities. 

Several businesses in Pelican cater to the visitor 

industry. Pelican is dependent on float planes and 

the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry for travel.

Tenakee Springs is located on the east side of Chichagof Island, on the north shore of Tenakee 

Inlet. It lies 45 miles southwest of Juneau and 50 miles northeast of Sitka. The word Tenakee is from 

the Tlingit word "tinaghu," meaning "Coppery Shield Bay." This refers to three copper shields, 

highly prized by the Tlingits that were lost in a storm.

Tenakee Springs has a year-round population and 

also serves as a summer retreat for residents of 

Juneau, Sitka, Washington, and Oregon. Tenakee 

Springs has long been considered a retirement and 

vacation community, though fishing is an important 

source of income. Tenakee Springs is dependent on 

seaplanes and the Alaska Marine Highway for 

transport.

Elfin Cove

Pelican

Tenakee Springs
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THE AIR SERVICE MARKET

The Southeast Alaska Consortium is a collection of communities in the Alaskan Panhandle that 

are related by their Essential Air Service provider, Alaska Seaplane Service. Service is provided 

three times daily on weekdays from Juneau to Angoon and Tenakee Springs, and the state’s 

capital is connected once daily to the smaller communities of Pelican and Elfin Cove.

Each of the communities’ air service is 

provided via a local seaplane base 

and to Juneau International Airport. In 

the summer, service is provided to the 

float pond adjacent to the runway at 

Juneau. In the winter, the pond is 

frozen – and Alaska Seaplanes uses 

the runways. This necessitates the use 

of strait floats in the summer and 

amphibious aircraft in the winter. 

Air service to these 

communities is absolutely 

essential: the only scheduled 

access to or from Elfin Cove is 

by Alaska Seaplane Service; 

Angoon, Pelican, and Tenakee 

Springs have scheduled service 

only by the Alaska Marine 

Highway System and Alaska 

Seaplane Service. Marine 

Highway service from each of 

these communities is only once 

weekly (twice weekly at 

Tenakee Springs), however –

leaving Alaska Seaplanes as

the only travel means of any 

Alaska Seaplane Services from Juneau

Origin Destination Departure Arrival Frequency

Juneau Angoon 8:30 a.m. 9:10 a.m. Monday-Saturday

Juneau Angoon 10:00 a.m. 10:40 a.m. Sunday Only

Juneau Angoon 1:00 p.m. 1:40 p.m. Daily

Juneau Angoon 4:30 p.m. 5:10 p.m. Daily

Angoon Juneau 9:20 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Monday-Saturday

Angoon Juneau 10:50 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Sunday Only

Angoon Juneau 1:50 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Daily

Angoon Juneau 5:20 p.m. 6:20 p.m. Daily

Juneau Tenakee Springs 8:30 a.m. 9:10 a.m. Monday-Saturday

Juneau Tenakee Springs 10:00 a.m. 10:40 a.m. Sunday Only

Juneau Tenakee Springs 1:00 p.m. 1:40 p.m. Daily

Juneau Tenakee Springs 4:30 p.m. 5:10 p.m. Daily

Tenakee Springs Juneau 9:20 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Monday-Saturday

Tenakee Springs Juneau 10:50 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Sunday Only

Tenakee Springs Juneau 1:50 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Daily

Tenakee Springs Juneau 5:20 p.m. 6:20 p.m. Daily

Juneau Pelican 8:00 a.m. 9:35 a.m. Monday-Saturday

Juneau Pelican 11:00 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Daily

Juneau Pelican 4:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m. Daily

Pelican Juneau 8:55 a.m. 10:05 a.m. Monday-Saturday

Pelican Juneau 11:55 a.m. 1:05 p.m. Daily

Pelican Juneau 4:55 p.m. 6:05 p.m. Daily

Juneau Elfin Cove 8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. Monday-Saturday

Juneau Elfin Cove 11:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Daily

Juneau Elfin Cove 4:00 p.m. 5:15 p.m. Daily

Elfin Cove Juneau 9:25 a.m. 10:05 a.m. Monday-Saturday

Elfin Cove Juneau 12:25 p.m. 1:05 p.m. Daily

Elfin Cove Juneau 5:25 p.m. 6:05 p.m. Daily

Alaska Seaplane Peak Service Schedule
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scheduled frequency to or from these communities. 

Passenger traffic increased in each of the communities in 2011 relative to 2009, with an overall 

growth rate of 17%. Pelican has experienced growth of nearly 40% in the same period. Service is 

provided to Juneau’s main terminal where separately-pieced-together itineraries can re-checkin and connect to other air services across the state, to the lower 48 and across the globe.
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AIR SERVICE NEEDS & DEFICIENCIES

As each of these communities is provided service under the Essential Air Service program, their 

air service needs are found in EAS determinations: each may have no more than two stops to 

Juneau. Alaska Seaplanes has provided this service for more than fifteen years, since the 

founding of the company.

In addition to operating reliable service, the goal of any Essential Air Service carrier, per 49 U.S.C. 

§41733(c), is to secure “contractual and marketing arrangements with a larger carrier to ensure 

service beyond a hub airport” and also “interline agreements with a larger carrier.” Alaska 

Seaplanes, like so many small 

regional airlines in Alaska, is not 

financially equipped to upgrade 

its ticketing ability to meet these 

statutory goals of the Essential Air 

Service program. Currently, the 

nearly 9,000 annual passengers 

that use Alaska Seaplanes to 

travel to and from the state 

Capital must book a second 

ticket to connect elsewhere in the 

state or to the mainland. Even 

more disturbing, the economy of 

each of these communities has a 

substantial tourism component, 

and it is currently impossible to 

book an airline ticket from 

anywhere but Juneau to these 

communities. To the rest of the 

world, these communities are “off of the map.”

The quality of service that the Consortium communities receive (and return on taxpayer 

investment), while typical of small Alaskan communities, stands to be greatly increased should its 

provider have the ability to allow single-itinerary e-ticketing, interlining, and appearing in online 

travel searches. Further, the only way to fully realize such abilities would be through an extensive 

Alaska Airlines non-stop services from Juneau
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marketing campaign throughout the communities and in key markets likely to take tourism 

interest in the four communities. 

Juneau serves as the perfect hub for these communities, allowing them access to the facilities 

and services of the large city and also allowing them possible access into the National Air 

Transportation System. Access to the National Air Transportation System, however, is currently 

hindered as Alaska Seaplane Service is unable to interline with other airlines or have its flights 

appear in options available for traditional and on-line travel agents. For passengers originating in 

Southeast Alaska, this is a familiar situation rectified by the purchase of two tickets – from outside 

of the region; however, these communities are totally off of the air service map. 
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STRATEGIC PLAN

Connecting the Consortium to Global Distribution Systems

A grant enabling Alaska Seaplane Service to connect to the Global Distribution Systems would 

expand connectivity in each of the Consortium’s communities from singly Juneau currently, to 

the entire world. Such an arrangement would also allow for a possible interline agreement with 

Alaska Airlines, which provides what would be one-stop service to eight destinations from the 

Consortium communities including Seattle, which would enable two-stop connections to dozens 

more destinations in the United States and abroad, via Alaska Airlines and its partners. 

Marketing the Consortium’s Newfound Connectivity

In order to fully capitalize on the 

Department’s investment in enabling the 

Consortium’s Essential Air Service provider to 

be listed in global distribution systems, and 

thus allow interlining and e-ticketing, it is 

absolutely necessary that a local marketing 

campaign communicate the newly 

established access to the world within each 

of the communities, while key markets (such 

as Juneau, Anchorage, and Seattle) must 

learn of the existence of these communities 

as destinations. As such, a comprehensive 

marketing campaign is essential.

Annual convention and trade shows are key in promoting tourism and pushing visitor traffic to 

the region. Alaska Seaplanes representatives, as well as members of the Consortium 

communities, will participate in these trade shows. Direct contact with potential visitors and the 

ability to promote the newly available interline capability with tour operators, travel agents and 

others is the primary way to connect with those that have a direct ability to book passengers to 

Consortium communities. These trade shows primarily occur in the winter months, between peak 

operating seasons in Alaska.

During the winter of 2012-2013, the Consortium will concentrate on trade shows in the 

northwestern U.S., especially the Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Vancouver and Anchorage 

Non-stop / One-stop Flights from JNU
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Southeast Alaska Consortium • Small Community Air Service Development Grant Proposal • June 2012 15

markets. Those markets are most likely to generate near-term trips to Alaska and, by generating 

traffic to Juneau via Alaska Airlines flights, the Consortium is more likely to attract the attention of 

Alaska Airlines executives when a codeshare relationship is explored in 2015.

An example of a targeted trade show during the 2012-2013 winter season is the 2012 ATIA 

(Alaska Travel Industry Association) Convention & Trade Show that will be held in Anchorage 

October 9-11. The ATIA convention is the premier gathering for Alaska’s tourism industry leaders. 

This annual event is expected to attract over 600 delegates from tour operators, wholesalers, 

Alaska vendors, destination marketing organizations and elected officials. 

The second winter, 2013-2014, the Consortium will attend trade shows in the Northwest, but will 

add trade shows in California, Arizona, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and Spokane, Washington, 

expanding the level of contact to the rest of the western U.S.

During the final year of the grant, the winter of 2014-2015, the Consortium plans to attend travel 

trade shows farther afield, concentrating on areas of the country where 1)Alaska Airlines 

provides service and 2)areas that are already delivering some visitors to Consortium 

communities. 

In addition to trade shows, partner companies will be assisted in promoting the new interline and 

GDS connection capabilities on private websites and in promotional materials prepared for 

potential visitors, and will provide information about how to book direct airline tickets from 

worldwide destinations directly to and through Juneau onto Alaska Seaplanes flights.

Grant funds will be made available for the Consortium communities to join and participate in 

the Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau, a membership that, up to now, has been too 

expensive. The registration fee is only part of the expense, as to truly participate, members need 

to be present at regular meetings where Juneau businesses and government discuss and plan 

strategies regarding marketing and tourism development. Funds will be made available for 

each community to send a representative to Juneau to participate in these planning sessions so 

that Consortium opportunities are included in Juneau CVB marketing materials.

Grant funds will also be used to invite regional and national travel writers to visit Consortium 

communities to experience the cultures and the activities directly, and to write about those 

experiences in newspapers and magazines across the country, further developing interest in the 
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region. One travel article in the New York Times or the San Francisco Chronicle is worth many 

times the expense of travel and accommodations for the writer.

The Consortium further proposes to use some grant funds to provide trips for community children 

to participate in events related to travel, tourism and regional growth. For example, Pelican has 

produced a championship caliber 12-year-old skier who needs to train in Juneau or Anchorage 

to find suitable terrain and adequate coaching in order to fully realize her potential. The 

Consortium also has identified some local students who want to work in the travel industry, who 

will serve as interns on this project, and will accompany officials to in-state and lower-48 

tradeshows, visiting colleges that offer degrees in transportation or travel as part of the trip.

The Consortium will budget funds to produce ads in newspapers in Juneau and Anchorage to 

inform potential visitors, and those in the tourism business in those markets, of the new interline / 

GDS capability of Alaska Seaplanes. The purpose is to provide top-of-mind awareness to travel 

and tour providers, who receive inquiries from visitors to the region, that the new capability exists 

or, in the case of Anchorage residents, to make them aware that flights into Consortium 

communities via Juneau can be booked through instead of using separate itineraries, easing the 

travel experience for in-state visitors on leisure or business itineraries.

Another component of marketing will be to produce a new website promoting the Consortium 

communities, with a primary emphasis on the air service available and how to book flights, 

which airlines to interline with, and how to take advantage of through-ticketing. The 

communities will also provide material and links to other regional information websites that will 

be made available.

Product / Dates Nov. ’12 to Mar. ‘13 Nov. ’13 to Mar. ‘14 Nov. ’14 to Mar. ‘15

Trade Shows Northwest Pacific National

Print Ads Juneau Juneau / Anchorage Jun. / Anc. / Fairbanks

Website Development completed spring 2013 with constant updates

Juneau CVB Join fall 2012 with participation in development meetings, etc.

Travel Writers Northwest Pacific National
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Program Implementation and Timeline

With an anticipated reward beginning October 1st, the Consortium expects to have limited eticketing / interline capability in place by spring 2013 in order to be prepared for the peak travel 

season that begins in May and ends in September. The initial GDS access requires additional 

software to be written for Alaska Seaplanes in-house reservation system, followed by testing. It is 

anticipated that the initial GDS connection can be made by May 2013. Once the initial GDS 

connection is made, subsequent connections will be more easily implemented and will be timed 

to maximize traveler exposure for the following summer. By the end of fall 2014 the Consortium, 

along with the service provider, expects to have produced large enough results to propose a 

codeshare agreement with various airlines – beginning with Alaska Airlines in time for summer 

2015.

Product / Dates Oct. ’12 to Mar. ‘13 May ‘13 Jan. ‘14 Jan. ‘15

e-ticketing / interline First Step: access continues throughout grant period 

Limited GDS Target date: continues for rest of grant period

Full GDS Target date: continues

Codeshare Request Date

Program Costs & Funding

Connectivity in GDS will be managed and coordinated by a firm on behalf of the Consortium to 

work with Alaska Seaplane Service and the various vendors involved in securing a GDS 

connection and active listings. The marketing of local area and out-of-market marketing 

programs will also be managed by a firm familiar with air service marketing. 

Global distribution system visibility has the potential to more than double the current traffic at the 

four communities. Traffic only needs to increase by as little as 12%, however, for the ongoing cost 

of the reservation system to be worthwhile; making this an incredibly sustainable proposal. 
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Further, any new or incremental expense related to GDS visibility becomes a reasonable 

expense in the scheme of the essential air service program.

The costs here are approximate. Some of the fees are negotiated per airline, and labor and 

consulting costs also vary. Based on the grant award and final negotiations between parties,

some elements of the GDS implementation may be postponed or replaced with more cost 

effective features. As an alternate, any excess funds not needed for GDS implementation will 

be recycled and used to support an expanded marketing program. The implementation and 

management of the total program will require about 15% of the budget.

Details of GDS Connectivity 

GDS Connectivity allows travel agents to sell the airlines’ inventory. This requires that inventory be 

synchronized, live, with a central computer system that many airlines use. The system has been in 

place for many years, and is based on one of the very first computer systems ever built. As such, 

it has several layers and companies involved, and the connection is far more complex than such 

connections created recently. Nevertheless, once up and running, the system works very well. 

Interlining / GDS

After connecting with a GDS, Alaska Seaplanes flights can be sold by themselves, but they 

cannot be sold as part of an itinerary with another carrier unless Alaska Seaplanes has an 

interline ticketing agreement. Interlining refers to the ability to sell two separate carriers flights 

together on a single itinerary. The advantage of this from a customer’s perspective is that they 

now can have a “one-stop” shopping experience. So, on a travel site, if a customer is searching 

for one of Alaska Seaplanes’ regular routes, the flights would be visible, but if they search from 

one of Alaska Seaplanes’ regular airports to Juneau, flights would not be displayed unless Alaska 

Seaplanes has a ticketing agreement with Alaska Airlines. Interline agreements rarely involve any 

compensation paid to the major carrier, instead, a nominal service fee may be charged for 

certain reservations. Setting up e-Ticketing in order to allow for interlining is expected to cost 

$100,000 over three years. Accessing the various GDS sites is expected to cost $175,000 over 

three years.
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Summary of Marketing plans and budget

The only way to fully capitalize on the Department’s investment in the newly found access 

afforded to these communities is when all possible users of the service are aware of its 

availability. The remaining $200,000 in the program will be used to promote the service, in 

addition to the in-kind personal and print marketing that tourism companies and organizations 

have committed to provide toward the same effort.

Dates

Fiscal Year 1 Fiscal Year 2 Fiscal Year 3 TOTAL

Marketing / Shows $50,000 $75,000 $75,000 $200,000

Interline / e-Ticketing $50,000 $25,000 $25,000 $100,000

GDS Subscriptions $0 $100,000 $75,000 $175,000

Implementation / Mgt. $15,000 $30,000 $25.000 $70,000

TOTAL $115,000 $230,000 $200,000 $545,000
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LEGAL SPONSOR

PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

In addition to the four airports comprising the Consortium, Alaska Seaplane Service, operator of 

service to the region for more than 30 years, is a supporter of this application. Alaska Seaplane 

Service has expressed their support for this service and their intent to implement steps necessary 

for GDS connectivity upon the communities receiving this grant. The community service 

providers that have expressed their support for this proposal and partnership with the air service 

operator. 

The City of Pelican is the legal sponsor responsible for administering the program. The city is a 

government entity.

City of Pelican, Alaska

Mayor Clint Bean

P.O. Box 737

Pelican, AK 99832

Phone 907-735-2202

Fax 907-735-2258

E-mail mayor@pelicancity.org 
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CONCLUSION

The Southeast Alaska communities of Angoon, Elfin Cove, Pelican and Tenakee Springs have 

come together to ask the Department to help them invest in their air service, and allow true 

connectivity from their communities to the National Air Transportation System. While these 

communities are small, this represents a unique opportunity for the Department to make the 

greatest difference for a group of communities. The Department stands to upgrade, on what is 

paramount to a permanent basis, the status of these cities from typical Essential Air Service to 

the real air service map. This will have the most profound effect on the viability of these 

communities in general, and greatly enhance their current slate of tourism related economic 

activity.

While directly only providing these 

communities with access to the Global 

Distribution System, the Department would 

be in effect, allowing these communities 

their first access to an airline network, and 

to the National Air Transportation System. 

Awarding this proposal would enable the 

Department the unique opportunity to simultaneously support the goals of the Essential Air 

Service program and the Small Community Air Service Grant Program, in a creative way. Further, 

additional enplanements resulting from increased access and exposure will make the Essential 

Air Service in these communities more sustainable and add to the economies in each of these 

Southeast Alaska towns.

“This proposal would enable the Department 

the unique opportunity to simultaneously

support the goals of the Essential Air Service 

program and the Small Community Air 

Service Grant Program, in a creative way.”
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APPENDIX: ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Angoon

Admiralty Island has long been the home of the Kootznoowoo Tlingit tribe. Kootznoowoo means 

"fortress of bears." From the 1700s to the mid-1800s, fur trading was the major money-making 

activity in the area. In 1878, the Northwest Trading Company established a trading post and 

whaling station on nearby Killisnoo Island, and villagers were employed to hunt whales. Whaling, 

a BIA school, and a Russian Orthodox Church attracted many Tlingits to Killisnoo. In 1882, a 

whaling vessel's harpoon charge accidentally misfired and exploded, killing a Native 

crewmember - a Tlingit shaman. Villagers demanded payment of 200 blankets to the man's 

family, as was customary. The Northwest Trading Co. felt threatened and sought assistance from 

the U.S. Navy at Sitka. The village and a summer camp were subsequently shelled and destroyed 

by the Navy Cutter U.S.S. Corwin. Native accounts of the attack claim six children died by smoke 

inhalation. In 1973, Angoon won a $90,000 out-of-court settlement from the federal government 

for the 1882 bombardment. Whaling did not last long, and the company switched to herring 

processing. During this time, many Tlingits moved to Killisnoo for employment at the plant. In 

1928, Killisnoo was destroyed by fire, and many Tlingits returned to Angoon. A post office was 

established in 1928. The city was formed in 1963. Many summer homes have developed on 

Killisnoo Island. 

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Angoon Community Association. 

Angoon is a Tlingit village with a commercial fishing and subsistence lifestyle. Possession of 

alcohol is banned in the community. 

The Tillinghast Lake reservoir provides water, which is treated and piped throughout the 

community. Angoon has had a piped system since 1977, and over 95% of homes have 

complete plumbing. Piped sewage is processed at a secondary treatment plant that directs 

flow to an ocean outfall. A 500,000-gallon water tank has been constructed at the plant. The 

city collects refuse and hauls it to the landfill, located approximately two miles from Angoon. The 

Tlingit-Haida Regional Electric Authority, a non-profit subdivision of the state, operates three 

diesel-fueled generators in Angoon. Electricity is provided by Inside Passage Electric 

Cooperative. There are 2 schools located in the community, attended by 79 students. Local 

hospitals or health clinics include Jessie Jim Health Center (Angoon). Jessie Jim Health Center 

provides Primary Health Care Prevention Services Dental Care and Behavioral Health. Angoon is 

an isolated location; it is part of the Southeast EMS Region. Emergency Services have limited 

highway marine floatplane and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 911 
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Telephone Service volunteers and a health aide. Auxiliary health care is provided by Angoon 

Emergency Medical Services.

According to Census 2010, there were 256 housing units in the community and 167 were 

occupied. Its population was 75.8 percent American Indian or Alaska Native; 10.5 percent white; 

0.9 percent black; 12.4 percent of the local residents had multi-racial backgrounds. Additionally, 

7.8 percent of the population was of Hispanic descent.

Elfin Cove

This protected, flask-shaped harbor was originally called "Gunkhole" by fishermen anchoring 

here. Its safe anchorage and proximity to the Fairweather fishing grounds made this a natural 

spot for fish buyers and supplies. Ernie Swanson built a store, restaurant, and dock here in the 

1920s. His wife Ruth applied for a post office in 1935 and gave it the new name of Elfin Cove. 

John Lowell, another fish buyer, arrived in the 1940s and built a second dock, warehouse, store, 

and restaurant. According to locals, the Tlingits who visited the harbor would not stay over winter 

because of the "evil spirits" there. 

Elfin Cove is a fishing community. Due to declining enrollment, the school was closed in the 1998-

99 school year, and students must be home-schooled. 

Most of the homes are fully plumbed using individual surface water collection systems and septic 

tanks with leach fields or beach outfall. A tank holds captured spring water. Due to the 

geography of the area, a landfill does not exist and is not feasible. Residents currently use an 

unregulated refuse burn area on tidelands. Electricity is provided by Elfin Cove Utility 

Commission. There are no public schools located in the community, Auxiliary health care is 

provided by Elfin Cove EMS.

According to Census 2010, there were 28 housing units in the community and 13 were occupied. 

Its population was 5 percent American Indian or Alaska Native; 70 percent white; 25 percent of 

the local residents had multi-racial backgrounds.

Pelican

A cold storage plant was the first development at this site in 1938. Kalle (Charley) Raataikainen 

bought fish in this area, which he transported to Sitka. He chose this protected inlet as an ideal 

cold storage site and named the place after his fish-packing vessel "The Pelican." Two of his fish-
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buying scows were used as a cookhouse, mess hall, bunkhouse, and warehouse, and the 

community of Pelican grew around this operation. A store, office, sawmill, post office, and sauna 

had been erected by 1939. A school and cannery were developed in the 1940s, and a city was 

formed in 1943. A boardwalk serves as the town's main thoroughfare, due to the lack of flat land. 

Pelican, Alaska, is a fishing community. The economy is highly dependent on commercial 

salmon fishing and longline halibut and sablefish. Most people in Pelican rely on subsistence 

resources as an important part of their lifestyle. The community has increased activity in the 

visitor industry and from recreational boaters. There is a seasonal population influx of commercial 

fishermen and seasonal residents. 

Hydro Project: With the pending acquisition of the Utility by the City, the completion of the Hydro

upgrade is all important. As of now, the hydro is expected to be back on line as soon as the 

weather moderates allowing welding of the new high density plastic penstock. Once on line, the 

hydro is expected to produce 600 Kilowatts of electricity. The community presently consumes 

about 120 Kilowatts; there is room for growth.

Commercial Ice Machine Grant: With the City becoming the owner of the fish house, the 

$800,000 federal grant can now move forward to replace the old ice machines. The City is now 

taking steps to proceed with implementation of the grant and to get the new machines installed 

and producing ice. Wyatt Refrigeration personnel from Seattle will travel to Pelican this spring to 

begin the installation.

The City of Pelican operates the piped water system. Water is derived from a dam and reservoir 

on Pelican Creek and then treated. The city provides garbage collection services, recycling, 

and a burnbox at the unpermitted landfill. The city maintains four 10,000-gallon septic tanks. The 

city owns the following facilities: library, city hall and apartment, community center, health clinic, 

fire department building and apartment, public safety building and apartment, recycling 

building, and city warehouse and shop. There are two small boat grids located within the 

harbor. Pelican City School District provides K-12 education. The City of Pelican also owns the 

bulk fuel facility and leases the facility to Kake Tribal Corporation DBA Pelican Utility District to 

operate and maintain. Electricity is provided by Pelican Utility Company. There is one school 

located in the community, attended by 12 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include 

SEARHC Community Family Services - Pelican. The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. 
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Emergency Services have marine floatplane and helicopter access. Emergency service is 

provided by volunteers. Auxiliary health care is provided by Pelican Volunteer Fire & EMS.

According to Census 2010, there were 77 housing units in the community and 41 were occupied. 

Its population was 34.1 percent American Indian or Alaska Native; 59.1 percent white; 6.8 

percent of the local residents had multi-racial backgrounds. Additionally, 1.1 percent of the 

population was of Hispanic descent.

Tenakee Springs

The word Tenakee is from the Tlingit word "tinaghu," meaning "Coppery Shield Bay." This refers to 

three copper shields, highly prized by the Tlingits, which were lost in a storm. Early prospectors 

and fishermen came to the site to wait out the winters and enjoy the natural hot springs in 

Tenakee. Around 1895, a large tub and building were constructed to provide a warm bathing 

place for the increasing number of visitors. In 1899 Ed Snyder established Snyder's Mercantile, 

which still operates today. A post office opened in 1903. Originally called Tenakee, the name 

was altered to Tenakee Springs in 1928. Improvements to the hot springs facilities were made in 

1915 and 1929; the existing bathhouse was constructed in 1940. Three canneries operated in the 

area between 1916 and 1974. A logging camp operated for a time at Corner Bay. The city 

incorporated in 1971. 

Tenakee Springs has a year-round population and also serves as a summer retreat for residents 

of Juneau, Sitka, Washington, and Oregon. Many residents practice a subsistence lifestyle and 

actively exchange resources with their neighbors. The 104 °F sulfur hot springs is the social focus 

of the community. Bathing times are posted for men and women. 

Tenakee Springs is dependent on seaplanes and the Alaska Marine Highway for transport. The 

state owns a seaplane dock and heliport. Scheduled or chartered float planes are dispatched 

from Juneau and Sitka. The state ferry provides passenger transportation only, since there is no 

vehicle landing facilities or local roads in Tenakee. Barges deliver fuel and goods four to six times 

a year. The marine facilities include a small boat harbor and ferry terminal. The City of Tenakee 

owns a fuel dock. There is a 3-mile long main street. Local transportation is primarily by bicycle or 

ATV.

There is no community water, sewer, or refuse service. Residents haul water from local streams or 

use individual wells. Most homes are fully plumbed. The city owns and operates diesel 
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generators, and the city owns the electrical and fuel distribution systems. Electricity is provided 

by City of Tenakee Springs. There is one school located in the community, attended by 8 

students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Tenakee Springs Health Clinic. Emergency 

Services have marine floatplane and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 

volunteers. Auxiliary health care is provided by Tenakee Springs Volunteer Fire/EMS

According to Census 2010, there were 180 housing units in the community and 72 were 

occupied. Its population was 0.8 percent American Indian or Alaska Native; 94.7 percent white; 

0.8 percent black; 0.8 percent Asian; 3.1 percent of the local residents had multi-racial 

backgrounds. Additionally, 1.5 percent of the population was of Hispanic descent.
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LETTERS OF SUPPORT
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