^ 

US.Department of Assistant Secretary 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

minsportation Washington, DC 20590 

Office of the Secretary 

of Transportation 

September 9, 2011 

The Honorable Ernesto Olivares 

I -J 

Mayor of Santa Rosa co 

Santa Rosa, CA 95404 

Dear Mayor Olivares: 

Thank you for your letter to Secretary LaHood supporting the proposal submitted by the 

County of Sonoma and the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport for a grant under 

the Small Community Air Service Development Program (Small Community Program). 

The Secretary has asked that I respond on his behalf. 

The Small Commimity Program was established to help smaller communities address air 

service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares and insufficient service. 

Under the statute, the Department may use the funds to make a maximum of 40 grant 

awards each year, although no more than four may be to communities in the same State. 

In order to provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service 

deficiencies, the statute provides significant flexibility in how the financial assistance 

may be used. 

On July 1, the Department issued an order requesting that communities interested in 

receiving a grant this year file their applications by August 2. As these grant requests are 

pending before the Department, I am sure you understand that I cannot comment on the 

merits of any particular proposal. I assure you, however, that the Department will give 

full consideration to all proposals that have been properly filed. 

As is our normal practice, I am placing a copy of your letter and this response in Docket 

DOT-OST-2011-0119 as a contact outside the record of this matter. I appreciate your 

interest in this program. If I can provide further information or assistance, please feel 

free to call me. 

Sincerely yours, 

—-co"3 

Susan L. Kurland 

Assistant Secretary for 

Aviation and International Affairs 
City of 

ERNESTO OLIVARB 

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July 19,2011 

The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation 

US Department of Transportation 

400 Seventh Street, SW, Suite 10200 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: Doclcet OST-2009-Q149 

Dear Secretary LaHood: 

We have learned that the County of Sonoma has applied to the DOT for a Small 

Community Air Service Development Program Grant. ! am writing to you in support of 

their application. 

Currently, with limited local airline services, travel is a major inconvenience and expense. 

It also adds to the already significant traffic burden on the area's highway system. The 

addition to the schedule of an eastern destination like Denver would greatly improve our 

air travel options. 

We strongly support the ongoing efforts of the County of Sonoma and the local business 

community, to increase airline service at the Charles M. Schulz/Sonoma County Airport, 

s, California State University, community groups from all the surrounding counties, and 

various airlines are all participating in this important effort. The Sonoma County Board of 

Supervisors is strongly supporting this partnership effort. They even invested general 

fund money to develop airline service. 

It is important for you to know that airline service will benefit many people and 

communities beyond Sonoma County. The adjoining counties of Lake, Mendocino, Napa, 

and Marin will benefit greatly from increased airline service in Santa Rosa. It used to take 

at least two hours to drive to Bay Area airports. Now, because of increased highway 

congestion, the same trip takes a minimum of three or more hours at most times of the 

day. It is much worse for people living in the many rural and small communities that are 

two-plus hours beyond Santa Rosa. 

Please help us improve and expand airline service by awarding a Small Community Air 

Service Development Program Grant to Sonoma County. 

Sincerely, 

ERNESTO OLIVARES 

Mayor 

OfVicc of th Mavoi f:\COUNCIL\Mayor\Srnall community air service grant.doc 

100 Santa Rosa Avenue - Room 10 • .S.inta Rosa, C A 9S-<0'I 

Phone: ("07) :i4v?0I0 • Fax: (707) S43-5030 

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