November 4, 2014

Mr.Todd Homan Director, Office ofAviation Analysis US Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590

Re: USDOT Determination 80-1-167 Essential Air Service

Mr. Holman: Karen K. Crandall

...•

**~** Tenakee Springs, AK 99841

Email:

I am a resident ofthe small and isolated community ofTenakee Springs, Alaska and also own a home in Juneau, Alaska. Ispend nearly equal amounts oftime in both communities. I depend on the safe and reliable services of Alaska Seaplanes to travel between thetwo communities. From Juneau I can connect with frequent flights to Anchorage, Seattle and all othersmall communities in Southeast Alaska. Tenakee Springs is guaranteed scheduled air service underthe 1978Airline Deregulation Act, as provided by the US Department ofTransportation's (USDOT) Essential Air Service program. Further, USDOT Determination 80-1-167 stipulates thatAngoon, Tenakee Springs and Pelican are entitled to essential air service to and from Juneau. It is my understandingthatthe US Department ofTransportation is considering changing the designated "airservice hub" from Juneau to Sitka. Juneau, not Sitka, is the transportation hub for northern Southeast Alaska communities. Currently only one flight /day goes from Sitka to Seattle orAnchorage without going through orconnecting to anotherflight in Juneau. By flying to Juneau you can also make good and frequent ferry connections to most ofthose same locations and to the road system connecting Alaska to the Lower 48.

Juneau is not onlythe transportation hub but it is also where people from Tenakee Springs shop, do business, go to the doctor (including some specialists) ordentist, bank, get medical services at Bartlett Regional Hospital, seek many necessary services available from private businesses and government agencies found in Juneau and sometimes find work. Service providers, repair/utilitytechnicians, government representatives based in Juneau fly to Tenakee to provide essential services to this small and remote town. Alaska Seaplanes not only provides reliable transportation for locals and visitors but also promptly delivers our mail, UPS packages, perishable groceries, medications, freight, etc. Our local grocerfrequently relies on float plane service to deliver perishable groceries from suppliers in Juneau to his store. Tenakee's commercial fishermen fly theirfresh catch directlyto Juneau buyers. Tenakee's few inns and charterfishing businesses depend on reliable flights to and from Juneau. Their clients may fly in from the Lower48 toJuneau, take aside trip offa cruise ship orwantto get away from Juneau for aweekend.

The connection between Tenakee Springs and Juneau is historic and essential. Please reaffirm ourguarantee underthe Essential Air Service program ofaccess to the longstandingJuneau air service hub, and expeditiously approve the proposal ofAlaska Seaplanes to continue serving ourcommunityfor no less than anotherfouryear term.
Sincerely,

Karen K. CrandallCc: The Honorable Mark Begich United States Senate Suite 308 One Sealaska Plaza Juneau, AK 99801 Sally Smith@begich.senate.gov

The Honorable Don Young US House of Representatives 4241 B Street Suite 203 Anchorage, AK 99503 Chad. Padgett@mail.house.gov

The Honorable Lisa Murkowski United States Senate 800 GlacierAvenue Suite 101 Juneau, AK 99801 kevin sweeney@murkowski.senate.gov

The Honorable Don Pegues, Mayor Tenakee Springs, AK 

### 99841 Don Pegues, Mayor<citytke@gmail.com>

Mike Stedman 

### & Kent Craford, Alaska Seaplanes, LLC 

### 1873 Shell Simmons Dr. Suite 

### 110 Juneau, AK 

### 99801 info@flyalaskaseaplanes.com