LAW OFFICES OF 

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DoUGLAS, KELLY, 0STDIEK and OssiAN 

PHILIP M. KELLY 

JERALD L. OSTDIEK 

JASON A. OSSIAN 

DAVID P. BRODERICK* 

AMANDA M. VOGL 

*Also licensed in Colorado 

Email: j ostd i ek@scottsb lufflaw .com 

a professional corporation 

RICHARD A. DOUGLAS 

( 1945-20 12) 

June 11, 2014 

Via Email: Kevin.Schlemmer@dot.gov 

Kevin Schlemmer, Chief 

Essential Air Service and Domestic Analysis Division 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Room W86-309 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

RE: Western Nebraska Regional Airport 

Dear Mr. Schlemmer: 

I 05 East 16th Street 

P.O. Box 419 

Scottsbluff, Ncbrnska 69363-0419 

Telephone: (308) 632-7191 

.......... 248 Main Street 

Crawford, Nebraska 69339 

Telephone: (308) 665-1169 

Fax: <;3Q8) 635-1387 ;:· ··.~:· :; 

This office represents Western Nebraska Regional Airport, Scotts Bluff County, 

Nebraska. I am writing this letter with regards to the Department of Transportation's 

determination of mileage for essential air service regarding Western Nebraska Regional 

Airport's mileage to the nearest hub. It is my understanding that the Department of 

Transportation has determined the mileage from the city of Scottsbluff to Denver International 

Airport is less than 210 miles. It is further my understanding that this determination may be 

based upon utilizing the rural route, taking Hwy. 71 South out of Kimball, Nebraska through Fort 

Morgan, Colorado, and then .I-76 from Fort Morgan to DIA. Western Nebraska Regional 

Airport respectfully requests the Secretary to review this determination. 

Western Nebraska Regional Airport requests the Department to utilize the route which 

includes taking Interstate 80 from Kimball to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and then I-25 South to 

Denver, Colorado. The reason for this request is that the route through Cheyenne, Wyoming is 

the most commonly used and safest route between the hub and community. 

The Fort Morgan route involves over 70 miles of two lane, poorly maintained highway 

with a portion of that road having no shoulder. Signage along this route clearly indicates that 

during the winter months, snow plows will not run during the evening hours. There is no cell 

phone service for large areas of this route, and no gas stations for approximately 70 miles of this 

route. J;, 
Kevin Schlemmer, Chief 

Essential Air Service and Domestic Analysis Division 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

Department of Transportation 

June 11, 2014 

Page 2 

In contrast, the route through Cheyenne, Wyoming is a four lane major interstate, well 

maintained with continuous cell phone service, along with numerous gas· stations and other 

services along the way. The speed limit on the Cheyenne route is 75 mph, as opposed to 60 

mph for a substantial portion of the Fort Morgan route. 

The Fort Morgan route is clearly not the most commonly used or safest route between the 

hub and community. I estimate that less than 5% of individuals traveling from Scottsbluff to 

Denver would use the Fort Morgan route. · 

Western Nebraska Regional Airport respectfully requests the Department to designate the 

route via Cheyenne, Wyoming, which totals greater than 210 miles as the designated route 

between the community of Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Denver International Airport. 

JLO:rlg 

cc: Darwin Skelton, Airport Manager 

Sincerely, 

DOUGLAS, KELLY, OSTDIEK and OSSIAN 

a p ofessional corporation