SERVING THE 

I ~llLAGES OF: 

BREVIG MISSION 

DIOMEDE 

,ELIMGAMBELL 

GOLOV!'N 

KING ISLAND 

KOYUK 

MARY'S IGLOO 

NOME 

SAVOONGA 

SHAKTOOLIK 

~HISHMAREF 

SOLOMON 

STEBBINS 

I ST. MICHAEL 

TELLER 

UNALAKLEET 

WALES 

! WHITE MOUNTAIN 

~ 'CSil""" ~ ,l!3. ~ ~,CJ. ./!!> TEL: (907) 443-5231· FAX: (907) 443-4452 :: ~ 

August 23, 2012 

Mr. Dennis J. DeVany 

Chief, EAS and Domestic Analysis 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Essential Air Service for Diomede, Alaska (DM2) 

DOCKET DOT -OST -2009-0260 

Dear Mr. DeVany, 

·o 

Kawerak is providing comments in support of the Evergreen Helicopter bid for Essential 

Air Service (EAS) at Diomede, Alaska. The unreliable year around transportation issues 

cause numerous health and safety problems for Diomede residents. A subsidized air 

service is the best way to assure reliable transportation to the mainland for the residents. 

Diomede is not eligible to use the Basic Essential Air Service program, but the State of 

Alaska appropriated $200,000.00 in the Fiscal Year 2013 budget as grant match funding 

so that Diomede can participate in the Air Transportation to Non~eligible Places 

program. Kawerak has four comments in support of the Evergreen Helicopter bid. 

1. Within the information you provided, it stated that the Office of General Counsel 

ruled that the EAS statutes do not permit subsidizing boat service, which rules out the 

bid submitted by Umiaq Services. Kawerak tmderstands this ruling, but proposes that 

federally subsidizing boat service would be an additional way to improve access to 

Diomede. Boat services would provide reliable transportation in the summer months 

when there is no ice runway. Furthermore, this option may be a more cost efficient 

means than air transport. We ask for your suggestions on how Diomede may pursue 

funding for subsidized boat services. Kaweralc also advocates for federal support of 

boat transportation subsidies to help solve the· critical recurring transportation 

problems that the community of Diomede faces. 

2. Evergreen Helicopters submitted the only qualified bid, and Kawerak understands 

that they propose to fly a four~ leg itinerary once a week for 44 weeks under the EAS 

contract. We share the concem with Steven Hatter about year around access. The 

schedule assumes that there are eight weeks dming the winter when there is an ice 
· timway and that regular plane service from other commercial carriers 'I;Vill be. 

available. Within the contract, there needs to be a contingency plan for the very real 

possibility that an ice runway might not form as we have seen in recent years. 

Perhaps the contract should specify a specific number of flights to complete and 

allow a wider window of time to complete the routes, rather than stating the contract ,_ 

would last precisely 44 weeks. This would allow cancelled flights in the summer and 

fall to be re"scheduled in the winter and assure year around access to Diomede in the 

event there is no ice runway. 

3. Kawerak respectfully urges US DOT to sign the EAS contract for air service at 

Diomede with Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. as soon as possible because it will 

significantly improve access to routine health services, supplies, medicine and basic · 

necessities while improving general economic welfare for the community of 

Diomede, Alaska. Evergreen has a history of providing service in this region and the.· 

funding will help them add the needed number of routes to allow more passenger 

service to the residents. 

4. Additionally, Kawerak supports the continuation of the EAS program in Alaska and 

the crucial connection it brings to our remote communities. Diomede is located at a 

critical point near the International Date Line. It is a remote small economically 

distressed Alaska Native community. Poor access makes it harder for residents to 

live there and feel secure. This program will help improve access so that Diomede is 

a good community to work, live and raise a family. 

Sinperely, 

KAWERAK,INC. 

111 W2f4 j)tUAd ',y- Melanie ifahnke 

President 

CC: Pearl Mikulski CSD Vice President. 

Dora Ahkinga, Mayor of Diomede 

Orville Ahkinga, Sr., Native Village of Diomede President 

Becky Kunayak, Inalik/Diomede Native Corporation President