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EDUCATION -· SENATOR BEN HUESO FORTIETH SENATE DISTRICT NATURAL RESOURCES 1'1 WATER

May 12, 2014
Secretary Anthony Foxx U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

RE: Docket DOT-OST-2008-0299

Dear Secretary Foxx, .•• 5 ; 'i

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## i**:T~f~s~~~~~;:~ci ~EU::.c:**  GOMMITTE.ES CALIFORNIAS E'NERGY INDEPENDENCE CHAiR CALIFORNIA-MEXICO COOPERATION

As the local State Senatorfor the region, I write to express my concerns with the Department ofTransportation'sTentative Orderto 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 ofthe proposed termination ofthe program.

The Imperial County Airport has a tremendous track record ofsurpassing the EAS program requirements putforth by the government, as they have dramatically exceeded the enplanement minimum in four ofthe lastfive fiscal years. Unfortunately, in FY 2013, the Imperial County Airport barelyfell 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, includingthose 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. Ourfederal governmentshould 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
overthe last three fiscal years, and ask that you considerthe void that will be left should the Department ofTransportation ultimately decide to terminate the much-needed

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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 ofSupervisors**~.'":HU.,.A** \dST A. O!SlRtCT 0f'P'C:S'. 303 H STREET SUITE 200 CHULA**VIST,~** CA 91910

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