CAPq Ol.- OF F<ICF 

STATE GJ\PITOL, ROOM <!054 

SACRAMENTO CA 956 i 4 

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__ 1/ETERANS AFFAIRS 

CHl>lR 

Tf:l* •fl16t 651-4040 

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iNSTITUTIONS 

EDUCATION 

SENATOR -· 

BEN HUESO 

FORTIETH SENATE DISTRICT 

NATURAL RESOURCES 

1'1 WATER 

May 12, 2014 

Secretary Anthony Foxx 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: Docket DOT-OST-2008-0299 

Dear Secretary Foxx, 

.•• 5 ; 'i .. "! ~ ::;: i :T~f~s~~~~~;:~ci 

~EU::.c: GOMMITTE.ES 

CALIFORNIAS E'NERGY 

INDEPENDENCE 

CHAiR 

CALIFORNIA-MEXICO 

COOPERATION 

As the local State Senator for the region, I write to express my concerns with the 

Department of Transportation's Tentative Order to terminate the Essential Air Service 

{EAS) program in El Centro, California located in Imperial County. I urge you to consider 

the negative economic impacts that may occur as a result of the proposed termination 

of the program. 

The Imperial County Airport has a tremendous track record of surpassing the EAS 

program requirements put forth by the government, as they have dramatically 

exceeded the enplanement minimum in four of the last five fiscal years. Unfortunately, 

in FY 2013, the Imperial County Airport barely fell below the ten enplanement 

threshold, by reaching 9.5 enplanements for the first time. 

As you know, the Essential Air Service was put into place to guarantee that small 

communities, including those within the Imperial County, continue to be served by 

certificated air carriers. Over the last several years, Imperial County has experienced the 

highest unemployment rate in the nation. Our federal government should encourage 

economic growth, and consider all factors before terminating a much-needed program 

in the region. 

As you prepare the Final Order, I urge you to consider the Imperial Valley's track record 

over the last three fiscal years, and ask that you consider the void that will be left should 

the Department of Transportation ultimately decide to terminate the much-needed 

CrltJL,\ V15TA DISTRICT OFF!C£ 

303 H STRE"'i SUITE 200 

CHUI..A VISTA CA 91910 

"''· ;6\91 4(19·7690 

FAX !619• 409·7686 

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45- I 25 SMURR STREET. SUITE 8 

!"lDlO CA 92201 

TEt.. : 760~ 398-6442 

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S:L CENTRO OiSTR!C'f OFFICE 

l 224 STATE STREET SUITE D 

EL CENTRO. CA 92243 

fEL 1 76()1 335-3442 

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(PAGE 2-CONTINUED) 

SENATOR 

BEN HUESO 

FORTIETH SENATE DISTRICT 

:S.T-t•NOH•,fG COMM!'"'Tt;:F::; 

VETERANS ,\i"Fr\!RS 

I'JANKtNG & FINANCIAL 

INST!TUTIONS 

EDUCATION 

NATURAL RESOURCES 

& WATER 

TRANSPORTAl iON 

!\:HOUSING 

CAUFORNIAS ENERG'f 

INDEPENDENCE 

C>\LIFORN!A·MEXICO 

COOPERATION 

Essential Air Service program currently in effect at the Imperial County Airport. Thank 

you for your time and consideration of my request. 

alifornia State Senator, District 40 

CC: Rep. Juan Vargas 

John RenisonJ Chairman, Imperial County Board of Supervisors 

~.'":HU.,.A \dST A. O!SlRtCT 0f'P'C:S'. 

303 H STREET SUITE 200 

CHULA VIST,~ CA 91910 

''f':L ;fjj!'H 409·:71500 

FAX t619~ 409·7688 

45·125 SMURR STREET SUITES 

INDIO, CA 92201 

TEL • 760 398~6442 

FAX 1 760.· 398~64 70 

£:L CE.NTRC f)!SlR!CT QF~lCE 

1224 STATE STREET, SUITE D 

EL CENTRO CA 92243 

TSL ;760i 335~344:2 

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