APPLICATION UNDER 

SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

DOCKET DOT -OST -2014-0133 

SUMMARY INFORMATION! 

All applicants must submit this Summary Information schedule, as the application 

coversheet, a completed standard form SF424 and the full application proposal on 

\VWW .grants.gov. 

For your preparation convenience, this Summary Information schedule is located at 

http://www.dot.gov/po]icy/aviation-policy/small-cmnrnunity-rural-air-service/SCASDP 

A. PROVIDE THE LEGAL SPONSOR AND ITS DUN AND BRADSTREET (D&B) DATA UNIVERSAL 

NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER, INCLUDING +4, EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 

(EIN) OR TAX ID. Enter Y or N 

Legal Sponsor Name: Lemhi County 

Name of Signatory Party for Legal Sponsor: Terri Morton 

DUNS Number: 093122984 

EIN/Tax ID: 82-600306 

B. LIST THE NAME OF THE COMMUNITY OR CONSORTIUM OF COMMUNITIES APPLYING: 

1. Lemhi County 

2. ____________________________________________ __ 

3. ____________________________________________ __ 

4. ____________________________________________ __ 

C. PROVIDE THE FULL AIRPORT NAME AND 3-LETTER lATA AIRPORT CODE FOR THE 

APPLICANT(S) AIRPORT(S) (ONLY PROVIDE CODES FOR THE AIRPORT(S) THAT ARE ACTUALLY 

SEEKING SERVICE). 

1. Lemhi County Airport (SMN) 2. 

3. 4. 

1 Note that the Summary Information does not count against the 20-page limit of the SCASDP application. 
DOES THE AIRPORT SEEKING SERVICE HOLD AN AIRPORT OPERATING CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY 

THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION UNDER 14 CFRPART 139? {IF"No",PLEASE 

EXPLAIN WHETHER THE AIRPORT INTENDS TO APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE OR WHETHER AN 

APPLICATION UNDER PART 139 IS PENDING.) 

D Yes IZJ No (explain) 

Part 139 certificate not required for 9 pax or smaller scheduled air service 

D. LIST THE 2-DIGIT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CODE APPLICABLE TO THE SPONSORING 

ORGANIZATION, AND IF A CONSORTIDM, TO EACH PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY. 

1. ID-02 2. 

3. 4. 

E. APPLICANT INFORMATION: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY) 

[{] 

D 

0 

Not a Consortium D Interstate Consortium D Intrastate Consortium 

Community currently receives subsidized Essential Air Service 

Community (or Consortium member) previously received a Small Community Air 

Service Development Program Grant 

If previous recipient: Provide year of grant(s): ·and, 

the text of the grant agreement section(s) setting forth the scope of the grant project: 

F. PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: (LIST ORGANIZATION NAMES) 

PUBLIC PRIVATE 

1. Lemhi County 1. Gem Air, LLC 

2. 2. 

3. 3. 

4. 4. 

5. 5. 
G. PROJECT PROPOSAL: 

1. GRANT GOALS: (CHECKALLTHATAPPLY) 

D Launch New Carrier 

0 First Service 

0 Regional Service 

D Other (explain below) 

0 Secure Additional Service 

D NewRoute 

D Surface Transportation 

D Upgrade Aircraft 

Ill Service Restoration 

D Professional Services2 

2. FINANCIAL TOOLS To BE USED: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY) 

[{] Marketing (including Advertising): promotion of the air service to the public 

0 Start-up Cost Offset: offsetting expenses to assist an air service provider in setting up a 

new station and starting new service (for example, ticket counter reconfiguration) 

Ill Revenue Guarantee: an agreement with an air service provider setting forth a minimum 

guaranteed profit margin, a portion of which is eligible for reimbursement by the 

community 

D Recruitment of Air Carrier: air service development activities to recruit new air service, 

including expenses for airport marketers to meet with air service providers to make the 

case for new air service 

[ZJ Fee Waivers: waiver of airport fees, such as landing fees, to encourage new air service; 

counted as in-kind contributions only 

D Ground Handling Fee: reimbursement of expenses for passenger, cabin, and ramp (below 

wing) services provided by third party ground handlers 

0 Travel Bank: travel pledges, or deposited monetary funds, from participating parties for 

the purchase of air travel on an air carrier, with defined procedures for the subsequent use 

of the pledges or the deposited funds; counted as in-kind contributions only 

2 "Professional Services" involve a community contracting with a firm to produce a product such as a marketing 

plan~ study, air carrier proposal, etc. 
lZ] Other (explain below) 

Lease credit for use of passenger/hangar/office facilities 

H. EXISTING LANDING AIDS AT LOCAL AIRPORT: 

D FulliLS 

D Localizer 

D Outer/Middle Marker [{] Published Instrument Approach 

D Other (specify) 

I. PROJECT COST: Do NOT ENTER TEXT IN SHADED AREA Enter Y or N 

LINE DESCRIPTION 

1 Federal amount requested 

2 State cash financial contribution 

Local cash financial contribution 

3a Airport cash funds 

3b Non-airport cash funds 

3 Total local cash funds (3a + 3b) 

4 TOTAL CASH FUNDING (1+2+3) 

In-Kind contribution 

Sa Airport In-Kind contribution** 

5b Other In-Kind contribution** 

5 TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION 

(Sa+ 5b) 

6 TOTAL PROJECT COST (4+5) 

J. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS** 

SUBTOTAL TOTAL AMOUNT 

134,400 

444,400 

For funds in lines 5a (Airport In-Kind contribution) and 5b (Other In-Kind contribution), please 

describe the source( s) of fund( s) and the value ($) of each. 

Sa $62,400 Source: Lemhi County Airport. Waiver of fuel fees for 3 years 

Sb $72,000 Source: W&S Enterprises. Passenger facilities/Hangar/Office lease 
K. IS THIS APPLICATION SUBJECT To REVIEW BY AN AFFECTED STATE UNDER EXECUTIVE 

ORDER 12372 PROCESS? 

D a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 

Process for review on (date) _____ _ 

D b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372, but has not been selected by the State for review. 

IZJ c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372. 

L. IS THE LEAD APPLICANT OR ANY Co-APPLICANTS DELINQUENT ON ANY FEDERAL DEBT? 

(IF "YES", PROVIDE EXPLANATION) 

[{] No D Yes (explain) 

APPLICATION CHECKLIST 

INCLUDED? ITEM 

EnterY or N For Immediate Action 

y Determine Eligibility 

y New Grants.gov users must register with \'V\:Vw.grants.gov. 

Existing Grants.gov users must verify existing wvvtv. grants. gm' account has not expired 

and the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) is current. 

For Submission by_ 5:00 PMEDT on July_ 311 2014 

Communities with active SCASDP grants: notify DOT/X50 of intent to terminate 

existing grant in order to be eligible for selection in FY20 14 

y Complete Application for Federal Domestic Assistance (SF424) via www.grants.gov 

y Summary Information schedule complete and used as cover sheet (see Appendix B) 

Application of up to 20 one-sided pages (excluding any letters from the 

community or an air carrier showing support for the application), to include: 

y . A description of the community's air service needs or deficiencies. 

y . A strategic plan for meeting those needs under the Small Community Program. 

y . A detailed description of the funding necessary for implementation of the 

community's project. 

. An explanation of how the proposed project differs from any previous projects 

for which the community received SCASDP funds (if applicable). 

y . Designation of a legal sponsor responsible for administering the program . 

. A motion for confidential treatment (if applicable) - see Appendix D below . 
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 

16. Congressional Districts Of: 

* a. Applicant lrn-02 *b. Program/Project jro-02 

Attach an additional list of Program/Project Congressional Districts if needed. 

17. Proposed Project: 

*a. Start Date: 110/06/2014 I *b. End Date: 110/05/2017 I 

18. Estimated Funding($): 

*a. Federal I 2so, ooo. ooi 

* b. Applicant I 30,000.001 

*c. State I I 

*d. local I 30,000.001 

*e. Other I 134,400. oo! 

*f. Program Income I I 

*g. TOTAL I 444, 4oo. ooi 

.Is Application Subject to Review By State Under Executive Order 12372 Process? 

a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on 

'--------''· b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review. 

I:8J c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372. 

* 21. Is the Applicant Delinquent On Any Federal Debt? (If "Yes," provide explal"!ation in attachment.) 

DYes I:8J No 

If" es", provide explanation and attach 

21. *By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications** and (2) that the statements 

co~ 

her in are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances** and agree to 

su 

ply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may 

·ect me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001) 

IZI ** I AGREE 

** The list of certifications and assurances, or an internet site where you may obtain this list, is contained in the announcement or agency 

specific instructions. 

Authorized Representative: 

Prefix: *First Name: joavid 

Middle Name: 

*Last Name: Schroeder 

Suffix: 

*Title: Authorized Organization Representative 

*Telephone Number: l2 o 8 9 9 3 o 17 9 Fax Number: 

*Email: lschrdavi@gmail. com 

* Signature of Authorized Representative: Schroeder * Date Signed: jo7 /30/2015 
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 

* 1. Type of Submission: * 2. Type of Application: *If Revision, select appropriate letter(s): 

0 Preapplication IZ! New I 

IZl Application D Continuation * Other (Specify): 

0 Changed/Corrected Application D Revision I 

" 3. Date Received: 4. Applicant Identifier: 

I I I 

5a. Federal Entity Identifier: 5b. Federal Award Identifier: 

I I I 

State Use Only: 

6. Date Received by State: I I ,7. State Application Identifier: r 

8. APPLICANT INFORMATION: 

*a. legal Name: !Lemhi county 

*b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EINITIN): *c. Organizational DUNS: 

182-6000306 I 10931229840000 I 

d. Address: 

* Street1: 1206 Courthouse Drive 

Street2: I 

*City: I salmon I 

County/Parish: I I 

*State: I ID: Idaho 

Province: I l 

*Country: I USA: UNITED STATES 

* Zip I Postal Code: 183<167 I e. Organizational Unit: 

Department Name: Division Name: 

!Lemhi County Commissioners I I 

f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application: 

Prefix: I I * First Name: !David 

Middle Name: I l 

*Last Name: !schroeder 

Suffix: I l 

Title: !Authorized Organization Representative 

Organizational Affiliation: 

I 

*Telephone Number: 12089930179 I Fax Number: I 

*Email: lschrdavi@gmail.com 

I 

I 

I 

I 

OMB Number: 4040-0004 

Expiration Date: 8/31/2016 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

l 

l 

I 

I 

I 

/ 
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 

* 9. Type of Applicant 1: Select Applicant Type: 

IB: County Government 

Type of Applicant 2: Select Applicant Type: 

Type of Applicant 3: Select Applicant Type: 

* Other (specify): 

* 10. Name of Federal Agency: 

!Department of Transportation 

11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 

* 12. Funding Opportunity Number: 

,DOT-OST-2014-0113 

*Title: 

SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

13. Competition Identification Number: 

Title: 

14. Areas Affected by Project {Cities, Counties, States, etc.): 

* 15. Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project: 

Scheduled Air Service Restoration SMN-BOI 

Small Community Air Service Development Program Docket DOT-OST-2014-0113 

Attach supporting documents as specified in agency instructions. 
July 25, 20 14 

Department of Transportation 

1200New Jersey Avenue 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Docket DOT-OST-2014-0113 

Scheduled Air Service Restoration SMN-BOI 

Dear Sir/Madam, 

Lemhi County Commissioners 

206 Courthouse Drive 

Salmon, ID 83467 

Phone: (208) 756-2815 

Fax: (208) 756-8424 

Accompanying this lett~r is Lemhi County, Idaho's SCASD grant application for Scheduled 

Air Service Restoration between Salmon and Boise. Lemhi County has partnered with Gem 

Air, LLC for the purpose of restoring scheduling air service between Lemhi County Airport 

(SMN) and Boise (BOI), a critical air-link for economic and social growth and prosperity in 

Lemhi County. The partnership has developed a clear plan and reasonable timetable for air 

service restoration and has garnered abundant State, local, and private support. 

This proposal addresses Lemhi County's high level of geographical isolation by re- storing 

year-around scheduled air service to the community. It will help the airport re-gain its full 

usefulness, thereby greatly increasing opportunity for individuals, business, tourism, and 

departments of State. 

This grant application meets several priority selection criteria identified in the SCASD Grant 

solicitation: 

• Year-round scheduled air service at SMN has been unavailable since 2007. Nine 

months out of the year only very expensive chartered air service is available. When air 

service is available in the 3 month summer, prices are extremely volatile ranging from 

$175 to $350 one-way from Salmon to Boise. 

• The application is being submitted with multiple levels of support including 

• $294,400 in local cash and in-kind contributions. 

• The community has established a public private partnership between Gem Air, LLC 

and Lemhi County, Idaho 

• With year-around flights between SMN-BOI, this project provides material 

benefits to a broad segment of the traveling public and will greatly obviate the 

need to drive long distances. 

• The assistance will be used in a timely manner. A partnership has already been 

established with an air carrier able to begin service immediately. Funds can be put to 

use shortly after they are available. Grant assistance is requested through December 

of2017. 
Lemhi County Commissioners 

206 Courthouse Drive 

Salmon, ID 83467 

Phone (208) 756-2815 

Fax: (208)756-8424 -----------------------------------------------------

• The project has broad community support and commitment on County and private levels 

for many reasons stated and also job creation in Lemhi County. 

• The geographic location of the community gives it very limited and difficult access to 

larger centers of air service with no public transportation available. 

• The partnership is committed to developing sustainable air service within the proposed 

time table of3 years and is prepared to be flexible and give continued support 

throughout the grant period and beyond. 

• The local share of cash funds and in kind contributions compared to the total requested amount 

is quite favorable: 43.7% 

We appreciate the Department's consideration of our SCASD application, as well as its 

understanding of the importance of restarting and developing air service for rural communities 

like Lemhi County. 

Sincerely, 

dt:~ R.E.Cope 

Commission Chair 
Table of Contents 

-Community Background and Executive Summary 

-Brief History of Air Service in Lemhi County 

-Strategic Plan 

-Funding Outline 

-Public/Private Partnership 

-Sustainability 

-Legal Sponsor 
Lemhi County, Idaho, in partnership with Gem Air, LLC (Gem Air) submit the 

following grant application for the FY2014 SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE 

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. 

COMMUNITY BACKGROUND AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Lemhi County, with the county seat in Salmon, Idaho, is located in the remote and 

rugged East Central Idaho Mountains. It's a very rural setting, with the City of Salmon 

home to just over 3,100 people. The entire County, which is four times the size of Rhode 

Island at 4,563 square miles, contains a total population of7,758. One ofthe most remote 

locations in the lower 48 states, Lemhi County is home to wild landscapes and endless 

recreational opportunities, and offers visitors and residents a natural sanctuary in which 

to live and play. In the summer months, thousands of people from all over the US and 

the world travel through Salmon, which serves as a major staging and exit point for 

world famous rafting and fishing expeditions on the Main Salmon River and Middle Fork 

of the Salmon River. Outdoorsmen also come from the East Coast and the South for 

renowned hunting and fishing the wilderness surrounding the community. Lemhi County 

is bordered by the impressive mountains of the Continental Divide, and is also home to 

many natural history sites, Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski area, world-class mountain 

bike trails, and countless other outdoor experiences. 

Without air service, the only 

options for travel in and out of 

the County are winding, two-lane 

highways. The nearest metropolitan 

communities are Missoula, MT, 

and Idaho Falls, ID. Driving to 

either city takes 2.5 to 3 hours. 

Driving to Boise, ID, our State 

Capitol and the nearest medium 

sized hub airport, takes 5.5 hours 

by car (See Exhibit 1 ). In addition 

to long distances and travel times, 

all routes of auto travel in and 

out of the County include high 

mountain passes at between 7,000 

and 8,700 feet, some of which are 

often closed in the winter, and all 

of which are potentially treacherous 

at any time ofyear. (See Exhibit 1). 

These dangerous driving conditions are a major hazard, and are exacerbated by the 

constantly heavy deer and elk traffic across the highways. 

In large part because of the risky and sometimes unreliable driving conditions on 

highways out of Lemhi County, the Lemhi County Airport (SMN) has played a vital 

role in the transportation of leisure and business travelers for decades. As the home to 

the nearest medium hub airport, and as both the governmental and economic hub of the 

state, 
Boise has been the focal point of this historical air travel. As recently as 2007, yeararound scheduled air service was available from Salmon to Boise, ID on a regular basis. 

The service was discontinued, as will be discussed below. That discontinuation has made 

travel to and from Lemhi County less convenient, more difficult, and more dangerous, a 

fact which has both economic and social implications for our community. 

The need for air service is still present in Lemhi County, and the following proposal, 

submitted by the partnership of Gem Air, LLC and Lemhi County, is a communityfocused solution to that need. This partnership is requesting a grant amount of $250,000 

from the DOT SCASD funds to assist us in our plans to provide scheduled air service 

between SMN and BOI. The DOT SCASD funds will be supported with local cash and 

in-kind donations totaling $194,400. Year-around Service is planned to start in late 2014 

and reach self-sustainability within 3 years of operation. · 

Current Gem Air owners ran a self-sustainable charter and commuter air service out of 

Salmon from 1982 until2005. Their past experience and success with exactly the type of 

air service proposed within this grant application provide a strong foundation on which to 

build this project. When combined with the strong support that is being provided locally, 

a high need for alternate travel options, and continuing strong demand for air service, we 

believe we have a project that not only addresses real community needs, but also has a 

very strong chance of success. 

BRIEF HISTORY OF AIR SERVICE IN LEMHI COUNTY 

Historically, Lemhi County has been served year-round by 1 or 2 charter services 

based at Lemhi County Airport. These charter services offered charter flights to both 

backcountry strips and metropolitan destinations. From 2002 to 2007, Lemhi County also 

enjoyed year-round scheduled air service connecting Salmon to Boise. The scheduled 

air service offered 8 weekly round-trips or more, year-round, to BOI, was self-sustaining 

and was widely used by permanent residents of Salmon, business travelers, state 

departments, and tourists. 

As Idaho's state capitol, a robust center of business, and home to a variety of cultural 

and consumer activities, Boise was, and is, the ideal air service destination for both 

economic and social reasons. Additionally, Boise has a medium size hub airport offering 

a variety of affordable and direct flights out of Idaho. Regular air service to and from 

Boise means that Lemhi County residents and visitors can connect more conveniently 

and efficiently with commercial airline travel to out-of-state destinations. 

In recent years, Lemhi County's air service needs have changed very little, but its air 

service has changed dramatically. As mentioned, as recently as 2007, Lemhi County was 

served by year-round scheduled flights to Boise, and charters were readily available. 

Since then, all of those services have been discontinued out-side of the short summer 

tourist season. 
One of the main reasons for the dramatic change in service is that when Lemhi County's 

major air service provider (Salmon Air) was purchased in 2007, new ownership relocated its base of operations. The year-round access to air service in Lemhi County, 

including the scheduled service to Boise, was then discontinued. Without an air service 

based in Lemhi County, the community's needs aren't being met. Now, the nearest 

commercial airports, which are small regional airports that provide limited scheduled air 

services, require a 2.5 to 3 hour drive across those high, winding, mountain passes. 

Without easier access to the business hub and more affordable airport offered by Boise, 

Lemhi County's already isolated economic community is even further distanced from 

opportunity. The economic importance of air service for our rural community is stated 

very well in the excerpt below. It is taken from a letter of support for this SCASD grant 

application (see attached), written by Gina Knudson, Executive Director of Salmon 

Valley Stewardship. She writes: 

"Salmon Valley Stewardship's costs and inconveniences are minor issues compared 

to what economists know about the link between air access and a rural community's 

viability. In the 2009 Headwaters Economics report, "The Economic Importance of 

air Travel in high-Amenity rural Areas," the authors conclude: "The implications of 

our findings are that is it important to move beyond the simple "metro" versus "rural 

distinctions if we are to understand the possibilities for rural development. There are, 

in the American West as well as elsewhere in the world, places that appear "rural" 

in terms of their natural setting, but that are connected to major population centers 

and their markets via air travel. They are neither completely rural nor completely 

metropolitan, and should be viewed as a distinct category with different rates of growth 

and economic structure. The implication for rural development is that the easier it is to 

access an airport with daily commercial service to major cities, the more the rural area 

becomes transformed into an economy that behaves like a metropolitan area, including 

the attraction of knowledge-based workers. "" 

In short, commercial air service and connection to major cities has been shown to have 

major effects on rural economies and even social structures. For example, with snow 

appearing in October and lasting through April, travelers are forced to decide between 

risking a long hazardous drive and not traveling at all through the long span of winter. 

Faced with that decision, some travelers, including business travelers, choose not to 

travel. Those decisions increase Lemhi County's economic isolation. This isolation 

inhibits economic growth and opportunity for our area. 

The reductions in air service, then, are not due to a lack of need. The reductions also 

create a vastly disproportionate supply when compared to demand. For example the 

demand for air service created by the busy summer tourist season, fueled largely by 6-day 

rafting trips down the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers, remains strong. 

Additionally, the demand for year-round air service is still fueled by the desire to avoid 

arduous drives to metropolitan areas and distant small regional airports. 
A year-around SMN-BOI connection is key to resupplying Lemhi County with 

opportunity for individual, private, and economic growth. While there are other possible 

destinations to which Salmon could be connected through air service, Boise presents the 

greatest opportunities economically and socially and provides the greatest variety of wellpriced options for further air travel connections. The Boise-Salmon connection also has a 

history of sustainable scheduled air service, and is therefore the ideal connection choice 

for our air service plans. Gem Air, LLC has already begun working to rebuild Lemhi 

County's air service by offering summer scheduled flights which started summer 2014. 

SCASD funds will be used to aid in the continuance and growth of scheduled flights 

throughout the year to help mature the market to a self-sustaining level again. 

STRATEGIC PLAN 

The project goal is to restore self-sustaining year-round scheduled air service between 

Lemhi County Airport (SMN) and Boise (BOI) through a revenue guarantee and 

partnership with Gem Air. The proposed flight schedule is to offer at least 4 round trips 

and up to 8, per week during the non-tourist months, and two or more daily round trips 

7 days a week during the heavy tourism months. This proposed schedule was formed 

based on historical knowledge and experience from 2002-2007 when this route was in 

profitable operation. A comer stone of this plan will be marketing tickets through the 

global distribution system (GDS) and interline ticketing agreements acquired by Gem 

Air and major commercial airlines serving the Boise airport. 

The flight schedule will be optimized with cooperation and coordination in the 

established partnership between Lemhi County and Gem Air. Special attention will also 

be given to creating a flight schedule that allows for the best connections to commercial 

· airline flights departing/arriving the Boise airport. With travelers able to find flights to 

and from Lemhi County through the GDS and interline agreements, air service in Lemhi 

County will be easily available to the world, for the first time, making this service a 

benefit to a very broad segment of the traveling public. 

Marketing 

Marketing will begin this fall, since many of Idaho's tourism publications are printed 

in late fall. Advertising will also be done in Horizon's In-Flight magazine (Horizon 

being the dominant airline from Boise). Although unable to commit specific funds to 

this project at the time this grant application is due, The Idaho Department of Commerce 

has expressed a desire to support this service with co-op marketing. With the aid of the 

State Department of Commerce and tourism, this project will be pursuing marketing 

opportunities within and beyond the boundaries of the State of Idaho (see attached letter 

of support), 

Marketing the route will be critical to its success. In addition to pre-launch marketing, 

strategic post-launch marketing will be maintained year-round. This will include a 

continuation of pointed advertising in state and national magazines, such as the Idaho 

Outfitters and Guides, which is circulated throughout the world. Direct contact and 

outreach will be continued through local participation in Lemhi County events and Boise 

area events. Additionally Gem Air will aggressively pursue interline agreements with 

commercial carriers operating out of the Boise airport as well as marketing tickets to and 

from SMN through the Global Distribution System (GDS). 
From the requested funds for this air restoration project, $20,000 annually, would be 

budgeted to achieve the above marketing goals. 

Schedule and Enplanement Projections 

With the assurances of grant funding and local and state level contributions, Gem Air 

targets the Fall of2014 for the launch date ofyear-round SMN-BOI air service. 

Gem Air has conducted its own route analysis based largely on its experience operating 

Lemhi County's first commuter route from 2002-2005. Based on this analysis, the 

proposed round trip BOI-SMN flights are displayed below in TABLE 1. Changes will 

be implemented if pre-market outreach and marketing suggests that alterations would 

be beneficial. The year-to-year objectives are focused on increasing ridership to a level 

that makes the route self-sustaining by the end of the 3 rd year. Historical data for the 

SMN-BOI route shows actual enplanements of3,100-3,500 per year from 2001-2005. 

Enplanement benchmarks for this project will be 1,974 passengers in year 1, 2,813 

passengers in year 2, an4 3,419 passengers in year 3 (Source: Gem Air). 

January 4-5 

February 4-5 

March 4-5 

pril 4-5 

May 4-5 

June 14 

July 14 

ugust 14 

September 4-5 

October 4-5 

November 4-5 

December 4-5 

Reasons for Schedule and Route Decisions 

This schedule will be maintained to provide convenient and safe travel year-round for 

tourism, business, visitors, and residents of Lemhi County. Offering at least 4 round 

trips weekly, year-around, can ensure a predictable, reliable, and convenient service that 

a wide range of travelers will appreciate. Maintaining 4 round trips per week will also 

allow airline travelers several options to utilize commercial air service out of BOI. Private 

individuals seeking advanced healthcare services that are not available in Lemhi County . 

will also be able to easily schedule day trips to BOI. The Lemhi County VA strongly 

supports this route for that reason. Additionally, Lemhi County's Steele Memorial 

Medical Center, a critical access and rural health clinic, has expressed a sincere support of 

this service for several reasons (see attached letter of support). 

The large increase in frequency during the summer is due to the peak tourism season in 

Lemhi County. Two daily round trips during peak tourism seasons will greatly aid the 

flow of tourism through Lemhi County, providing increased economic opportunity to 

local businesses. For tourists and those that serve them, the ease of being able to find 

flights to/from Lemhi County via the Global Distribution System and interline agreements 

with commercial carriers will be hugely beneficial. 
Strategic Advantages 

Gem Air is locally owned and based in Lemhi County. The owners of Gem Air have 

provided air service at Lemhi County Airport since 1982 (Mountain Bird Inc. d/b/a Salmon 

Air). Starting in 1982 with 1 Yz pilots and 3 airplanes, they grew to 38 employees and 16 

airplanes, most of which were based year-round at Lemhi County Airport. In 2002, they 

began and operated the County's first and only scheduled passenger air service, providing 

round trip flights between SMN and BOI 3 times per week. When the business was sold in 

2005, the route was profitable and flying as many as 16 round trips per week. 

The local knowledge possessed by Gem Air owners, as well as their aviation and 

business experience, is important to consider. The owners have lived in and served this 

community in many ways for over 30 years and continue to do so. They have longstanding and successful experience operating air service out of Lemhi County Airport, 

and specifically, have the proven experience of building a self-sustaining SMN to BOI 

commuter route. As citizens of Lemhi County, they have a sincere and deeply vested 

interest in helping this route succeed and become self-sustaining. The strategic value 

of their experience and knowledge cannot be overstated, and covers seasonal passenger 

demand, marketing niches, operations familiarity and last but not least, invaluable 

customer service skills. 

Other strategic advantages of this plan include the fact that service has existed in the 

recent past and it was successful. Also, Gem Air has made investments in efficient, 

safe, and technologically advanced aircraft that suite the market size and operating 

environment. Combined with the elements mentioned above, Gem Air has an employee 

base that calls Lemhi County horne, is determined to help, is focused on customer service, 

and will provide travelers with a quality flying experience that will help build a strong 

passenger base. Finally, Gem Air has applied for Commuter Authority to allow them 

to operate scheduled flights of more than 4 round trips between SMN and BOI. This 

commuter authority will allow route frequencies to be increased as the market matures, 

Gem Air expects to receive commuter authority in early Fall 2014 making them an 

excellent candidate and partner to provide the service Lemhi County needs. 

FUNDING 

As went the air service, so went the infrastructure. The infrastructure, personnel, and 

public awareness that supported scheduled service no longer exist, and replacing 

them poses a significant initial cost and time commitment. Additionally, the synergies 

that supported the original commuter until it was profitable, created by resourceful 

relationships built over time, are no longer present. With the aide from the State, the 

community, the SCASD program, and Gem Air, this partnership is confident that these 

essential elements can be rebuilt, and scheduled air service can be restored and be selfsustaining by the end of the 3rct year. 
Cash and In-Kind Match from Local, and Private Sources 

This SCASD application is being submitted with cash and in-kind contributions from, local, 

and private sources totaling $194,400. Contributors are displayed below in Table 2. 

Lemhi County (Local Cash) Cash contribution Local-County $30,000 of $10,000 per 

year for 3 years 

Cash 

Gem Air (local/private cash) contribution Local-Private $30,000 $1 0,000/year 

for 3 years 

Hangar/Passenger 

facilities/Office 

W & S Enterprises (local/private in-kind) $24,000/year for 3 Local-Private $72,000 

years 

Fuel discount 

Lemhi County Airport (airport in-kind) $0.65/gallon for 3 Local-County $62,400 

years 

TOTAL $194,400 
Requested DOT SCASD Funds 

To support the growth to maturity and sustainability, the partnership is requesting a $250,000 

revenue guarantee from the US DOT. This will be combined with the $194,400 of local cash 

and in-kind contributions mentioned above. 

SCASD Grant funds will be used to: 

• Restore scheduled air service between SMN and BOI via a 3 year 

REVENUE GUARANTEE 

• Up to $20,000 each year to develop and carry out a marketing plan for the 

route including pre-launch startup marketing and year-round post-launch 

strategic marketing 

The majority of DOT funds will be applied to revenue guarantee with a portion going to 

marketing the route. Revenue guarantee funds will only be used if pre-determined monthly 

traffic and revenue goals are not met. Funds unused during the 3 year project will be 

returned to the DOT. Funding source and use is shown in the tables below. 

Local Cash Contributions 

T SCASD Grant 

Local/Private in-kind sources 

Revenue Guarantee 

Revenue Guarantee 

Marketing 

Total Cash Contributions 

Fuel/Facilities 

DOT Grant 56.3% 

Local/Private 

sources 43.7% 

TOTAL 100.00% 

Airport (in-kind) 

Local Private (in-kind) 

Local/Private (cash) 

Local/County (cash) 

TOTAL 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

14% 

16% 

7% 

7% 

190,000 

60,000 

60,000 

310,000 

134,400 
PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP 

Private Experience 

For this SCASD SMN-BOI route restoration project, Lemhi County is partnering with 

Gem Air LLC. Gem Air owners began Lemhi County's first and only scheduled service, 

SMN-BOI, in 2002 (operating then as Salmon Air). They grew this route from 2002-2005 

into a self-sustaining operation. 

During that time, Gem Air owner's previous success and experience with aviation in 

Idaho since 1982 brought the long-time Boise Airport manager, John Anderson, to 

consult with them about a special entrance, counters, and seating for the small commuter 

and charter operations they were building. The result was and continues to be a very 

convenient set up on the west end of the Boise main terminal that is ideal for the SMNBOI arrival and departures. With successful experience starting and growing this exact 

route in the past, Gem Air has unique and valuable experience perfect for restoring 

this service to the community. And as involved community members and principled 

entrepreneurs, they are highly committed to making the service work. 

Public Participation 

Lemhi County will actively participate on several levels. The Lemhi County 

Transportation Plan was implemented by county commissioners in 2012. Scheduled fight 

service is part of the plan, a fact they recognize and embrace. Citizens of Lemhi County, 

along with other public officials, contributed to the LMMN (Local Mobility Management 

Network) and have acted on several parts of the LMMN plan, including trails, bike paths 

and now scheduled flight service. 

Lemhi County Commissioners and County staff will help market this service through 

their many contacts with businesses and political cohorts. They will participate in start 

up celebrations at the airport and inaugural rides to Boise. Additionally, The LCEDA 

(Lemhi County Economic Development Association) will use scheduled air service as a 

tool to encourage businesses to locate to the area through presentations to businesses and 

groups. 

Past actions and current, enthusiastic commitments show that continual support and 

communication will be present from the County and community. 

SUSTAIN ABILITY 

It is the full intent of this partnership to make this route self-sustaining by the end of the 

third year. With this public/private partnership and the support of the SCASD program, 

we are highly confident of its future success. The strong and experienced fit of Gem Air 

owners to this particular endeavor, along with this route's historical success, add to our 

confidence. However, we understand that success is not guaranteed, and that particular 

attention to certain elements will be crucial to moving the project forward as planned. 
Key elements to the success of a sustainable program will include continued marketing 

and strengthening relationships with key groups of passengers. As noted previously, 

we plan to continue marketing efforts and community outreach through the entirety of 

the three year period and beyond. By capitalizing on each partner's connections to the 

communities served, we will build the strong passenger base necessary to be sustainable. 

Equally as important will be a flexible approach to optimizing the flight schedule 

(daily and weekly frequencies) through the three-year period and beyond in order to 

meet customer needs and revenue opportunities. Participation in the GDS and interline 

agreements will be exceptional assets to this project. The partnership will also remain 

open to other innovative ideas and actions that are not in the original plan/scope of this 

application. 

LEGAL SPONSOR AND PRIVATE CONTACT 

For the purpose of reimbursement, Gem Air will deliver a monthly statement to the 

project sponsor. If needed, reimbursement will be made monthly based on the financial 

performance of the route. 

The legal sponsor for administering this program is: 

Lemhi County 

Terri Morton 

Lemhi County Clerk 

206 Courthouse Drive 

Salmon, ID 83467 

Phone: 208-756-2815 

Email: clerk.lemhicounty@centurytel.net 

Fax:208-756-8424 

The Gem Air contact for this program is: 

David Schroeder 

Director of Airline Development 

Gem Air, LLC 

31 Hamner Drive 

Salmon, Idaho 83467 

208-756-7382 

david.schroeder@gemairflights.com 
Ms. Brook Chapman 

OFFICE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 

206 COURTHOUSE DRIVE 

SALMON, IDAHO 83467 

Phone: 208-756-2815 

R. E. Cope, Chairman 

Rick Snyder 

John Jakovac 

July 21, 2014 

Associate Director, U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey 

Washington, D.C. 

Dear Ms. Chapman: 

It has come to the attention of the Lemhi County Board of Commissioners that may 

qualify for the Small Community Air Service Development Program. This could be of great 

benefit to Lemhi County. 

Given the isolated nature of the county and Salmon, its primary city, regularly scheduled 

air service could allow businesses to start or relocate here. Without air service in Salmon, 

access to such service is at least a three-hour drive away. Obviously, there is a need for air 

service in frontier communities such as ours. 

Also, a large percentage of our population is employed by federal or state agencies, 

amplifying the need for connectivity to Boise. We would greatly appreciate any and all 

consideration you may give to our need for this grant program. 

Yours, 

R. E. Cope, Commission Chair. 

Fax: 2f 
~ 

JD;\HO COMMERCE 

July 28, 2014 

Ms. Brooke Chapman, 

C.L nautch" Otter, Governor 

Jeffery Sayer, Director 

Associate Director, Small Community Air Service Development Program 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE 

Washington DC 20590 

Dear Ms. Chapman, 

On behalf of the Idaho Department of Commerce- Tourism Development, please accept 

this letter of support for the Salmon-Lemhi County Airport's application before the US 

Department of Transportation for a grant under the Small Community Air Service 

Development Program. 

The Salmon Idaho area is a gateway to many outdoor recreation and historic attractions and 

the economy depends on efficiently moving citizens and visitors in and out of Lemhi County. 

In order for local businesses to thrive and to add jobs it is vital that regular and dependable 

air transportation is available. 

I understand that Salmon is also the home of many state and federal employees from a 

number of agencies. These workers are required to drive over 150 miles to reach their 

agency headquarters, a commercial airport or advanced medical care. In addition State 

legislators from the area are limited by a lack of air transportation during the legislative 

session. 

I am confident the award of this grant would yield positive results and new opportunities for 

the greater Lemhi County region and the State of Idaho. I urge the Department of 

Transportation to give this proposal all due consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Jeff Sayer 

Director 

700 W Statt: Street .. Boise, idaho 83702 - 208334.2470 or 800.842.5858 - commerce.idaho.gov 
July 30th, 2014 

Brooke Chapman, Associate Director 

Small Community Air Service, Development Program 

Washington, DC 

Subject: Len1hi County, Idaho~ Small Comtnunlty Air Servke Developn1ent Grant Proposal 

Dear Ms. Chapman: 

Please accept this letter in suppo11 of Lemhi County Idaho js Small Co1nmunity Air Servic.e 

Development Grant Program (SCASDP). 

Steele 1v1en1orial Medical Center (SMY\tfC) is a critical access hospital and rural health clinic 

located in Sah110n, ID. SM1v1C bas the distinction of being one of the most remote hospitals in 

the lower forty .. eight states with the nearest regional hospital and regional airport located in 

tv1issoula~ !\.fontana~ approxin1ate'ly 140 ground n1iles north of Salmon. With no commercial air 

service available locally, it is necessary to travel via ground to reach a regional airport for air 

travel. Automobile travel to and from Salmon can he treacherous anyti1ne of the year given 

mandatory navigation over tnountain passes with nvisting highways bordering winding rivers 

and steep cliffs. As you might imagine a trek to or from our remote community is challenging 

anytime but becon1es exceptionally arduous during incletnent weather and big game migratory 

seasons. 

As one of the largest employers in Lemhi County and the surrounding area, SJ\£\tfC takes pride 

in providing high quality healthcare 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our comn1itment to patient 

centered care requires regular ground travel to and from Salmon. Some exrunples include; 1) 

Travel to Sl\1MC by out of the area specialty physicians (cardiologists, urologists, oncologists, 

otolaryngologists, physiatrists, neurologists, etc.) is necessary in providing specialty care to our 

residents. This challenging and time consmning ground travel creates a barrier for SNfMC in 

providing certain specialty services. 2) Fan1ily n1e'!:nbers and loved ones who desire to be vvith a 

seriously injured or acutely ill patient transpm1ed to a regional trauma hospital have only the 

option of ground travel to be ·with that patient. 3) SI\t1MC partners vvith out of state consultants 

and service personnel requiring ground travel to Salmon for routine onsite visits. This creates 

additional expense for Sl\·fMC. 4) Con11nercial air travel for distant continuing medical 

education for our healthcare team n1e11ibe,rs, board of directors and physicians is commonplace 

but poses a great obstacle given the challenges and time associated ·with ground travel to a 

regional airport. The already dift1cult task of physician and healthcare professional 

recruitment/relocation to Salmon, Idaho is greatly hampered given the unavailability of local 

C0111mercia1 air travel fbr business and pleasure. 

Prior to the reestablishment of air service to Saln1on via Gem Air, any cornmercial air travel for a 

resident or visitor of Lemhi County required a mininutm five hour round trip via autotnobile to a 

regional airport and often tin1es oven1ight hotel stays in order to accommodate commercial air 

travel schedules. These hardships added to the ever escalating cost and demands of providing 

high quality healthcare to the residents and visitors ofLemhi County. 
The reestablished cmnmercial air service to Lemhi County by Gem Air has already improved the 

delivery ofbealthcare to our residents and visitors by aHovving a partnership between SMMC and 

the Idaho Urologic Institute located in Boi~e, Idaho. Gem Air provides a reasonable travel 

option for urologists traveling to Salmon from Boise to see patients o:n a monthly basis. Prior to 

the establishment ofthe round trip air service (one hour ,each way), the five to six hour one way 

travel tinte via automobile was a prohibitive factor. In the short time since Gem Air has 

established air service~ SI\tfivfC has utilized Gen1 Air to fly staff to the Boise area for meetings 

and to bring n1uch needed locum tenens physicians to Salmon saving on both travel time and 

expense. SMMC has plans to continue utilizing ,Gem Air for both staff and physician travel on a 

regular basis. In fact, we vvill be estabUshi11g Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) services next n1onth 

with an Otolaryngologist commuting to Salmon on a n1onthly basis via Gem Air. 

In closing. the reestablished air service to Salmon via Gern Air is not only in1proving the 

delivery of healthcare services to our residents and visitors, but is also improving the economic 

landscape of Lemhi County and the stmounding area. ):,.our financial support V\rill help ensure 

the long term viability of this critical con1n1unity service. 

Thank you fbr your consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Jeff Hill~ CE 

Steele Arfen1orial M;edical Center 

203 South Daisy Street 

Salmon, Idaho 83467 

208-756-5617 
Brooke Chapn1an, Assoo±ate Director 

C.L BurcH~1 OrnEH 

GYV!i!iNOil 

July 22, 2013 

SrnaU Conunuoity Air Service Developn1ent 'Pl'ogrmn 

United States Departml:~nt of i'fransportlltion 

1200 New Jersey Ave. SE 

\Vasbingtou, DC 20590 

Dear Ms .. Chapman; 

The State of Idaho \vould IU::e. to :respectfully request ftdl COtlsideratton be gxven the Salmon-Lemhi County 

Airport~ s proposal for inclusi,on in the Small CommJtnity AirService De:velopment grant program. Although 

W·e now enjoy digital oonnectivhty tl:rro·ughr:mt mru.ih ·of apr rugged and primarily rural state., the ability to tnove 

our citizens and tourists into and 011;t ofLettilii Oou1tty and adjacentcolnmtutitiesinJ:t fastandefficientma.nner 

continues· to be hampered by a lack ·ot~ reg(tlat and dependable ait· tr:an@Ortati·on~ 

Saln1on, Idaho is wen k.t10Wil as a gate\,.'S)' to numerous natural and histodc attractions. Thousands of 

rec.reationist fron1 aro~md the world pass through the town eac:h summer to launch on weeklong rafting 

adventu:rcs dovvn the l\.-1ain 8afmon River or on return tdps home a:fte:J: tloating the- Middle Fork of the: Sahnon 

Rivet·. Hunters and :fishermen ft·om around ti1e' United States pursue elk and salmon in nearby forests and 

streams. Nearly aU have one thing in common- an ard·uqus driye t<> o:r from U1e nearest commercial airport. 

Salmon is borne to many state and federal employees f11

om various agencies~ aU of whom have little option but 

to ddve 150-200 miles 16 reach a<:Ivanoed :medical care; a ectli1mercial a1rport or agency headquarters. State 

l·egislators in the .are-a are compelled tQ choose between b::n11g '\Veeketnd commutes in winter driving conditions1 or 

long separation fi·.om fam:ily and const~tuents dudng legislative sessi.ons .. 

On behalfofthe citizens ofLemhi County and tho,se nto1n around the>w-ol'ld hoping for f:ast and efficient travel 

to and from this beautiful partofldalt(); we tJtge y{)u to giveSabtt<>.nrLenihi Cotlnty airport's applic;an<.ln serious 

consideration. 

Thank you again fot your timely.and care:ful eottsideratb:m ofthis request. 

As ~]ways·- Idaho, ~~Esto P·erpetua" 

Cfd~~ 

C.L. ~~Butch" Otter 

Governor of Idaho 
JAMES E. RISCH 

IDAHO 

RUSSELl SENATE OFFICE BUILDING 

SUITE483 

{202! 224-2752 

FAX !202) 224-2573 

Ms. Brooke Chapn1an 

Associate Director 

Jl!nilen ~tat:es ~:enat:e WASHINGTON, DC 20510 

July 22, 2013 

S1nall Con1munity Air Service Developntent Progrrun 

United States Department ofTransportation 

1200 Ne\v Jersey Avenue S.E. 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Dear Ms. Chapn1an, 

COMMITTEES 

ENERGY ANO NATURAL RESOURCES 

FOREIGN RELATIONS 

SELECT COMMITTEE ON ETHICS 

SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE 

SMALL BUSINESS ANO ENTREPRENEURSHIP 

I am \Vriting in support ofLetnhi County's application for the Small Con1tnunity Air Service 

Development Grant program. A vvard1ng this grant will assist Len1hi County Airport in their 

goals of providing affordable air services to Boise and other regional access points. 

Len1hi County and Custer County have a combined population of 12,300 people \vith li1nited 

access to air services. The ability to provide consistent air services at an affordable rate to Boise 

and other regional airports will increase the econon1ic opportunity to increase touris1n to this 

beautiful part of Idaho and vvill provide businesses the ability to locate in Len1hi County. A 

number of enterprises .in n1any industries,. fron1 tourisn1 to bunting, fishing and river guide 

outfitters and scenic, nature loving entrepreneurs seek to benefit from these air services and will 

work to,~rards growing these local economies. 

Le1nhi County Airport is vvell positioned to service this grant and implen1ent an effective plan to 

attract new air service providers and work within a private-public partnership to fully fund and 

implement their plan. Custer County has been a beneficiary of these air services in the past and 

will again benefit t1·om these improvements and the enhanced accessibility afforded by this 

regional airport and funded tln·ough this grant. 

The development of this project and the economic irnpact of this grant are of great importance to 

Lemhi County and the region at large. I ask that you give their application full consideration. 

Sum:302 

350 NOR!tf 9TH STREET 

BOISE, 10 83702 

{208)342-7$85 

HAHUOi'l P!..AZA 

610 HuaBARo,SutTE 213 

COEUR D'ALENE, 10 83814 

(208) 667-6130 

Very Truly Yours, 

James E. 

~ Risch 

United States Senator 

SUitE 106 

313 0 STREET 

LEWISTON, ID 835()1 

(:208) 743-0792 

SVITE290 

275 SOUTH 5TH STREET 

POCATELLO, 10 83201 

(208} 23H·.,6B17 

SUITE 201 

1411 FALLS AVENUE E 

TWiN FALLS, fO 83301 

(208} 734-6780 

Sum: 202A 

901 PIER Vtcw DRIVE 

IDAHO fAllS, !D 83402 

(208) 523-5541 
MIKE CRAPO 

U.S. SENATOR 

tOANO 

C\Y-CHAli1MtVII, SEN.t>,Tf. RENf:WA3LF.S .AND 

Ef\JERGY EFF1C!ENCV CAUCUS 

VvASHINGTON, DC 2fJ5'Hl 

July 23, 2013 

Brooke Chapman l Associate Director 

Sman Community Air·Service Development Program United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jers·ey Avenue SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Ms. Chapman: 

rnatr 

COMMm'EES; 

BANKH\(G, HOUSING, AND 

lJiiB.AN AFFAIRS RANJ<!NG MEMSF.:H 

FlNANCE 

ENVtRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS 

BUDGET 

!NOlAN AFFAIRS 

I am writing in support of SaJmon~Lemhi County Airport's appHcation under the Small 

Community Air Se:rvice Deve~opment grant program. This submission requests 

federal funding to support better access to regional ·comm·ercial airports and Boise, 

the State Capitol. 

The Salmon Idaho area is a ·gateway to many outdoor recreation and historic 

attractions and tile ~co:no.my :~lepends on effici~ntly moving citizens and visitors in 

and out of Lemhi ,county. In order for local businesses· to thrive and to add jobs it is 

vital that reg.ular and dependable a;ir transportatien is available. 

I understand that Salmon is also the home of many state and federal employees from 

a number of agencies. These workers are required to drive over 150 miles to reach 

their agency headquarters~ a commercial airpGrt or advanced medical care. In 

addition State Legislators from the ,area are limited by a l~ck of air transportatron 

during the legislative sessi·on. 

I urge the Department of Transpt>rtation to ghte this proposal aH due; consideration. 

Pt/U¥ 

Michael D. Crapo 

United States Senator 

Mc/rrf 
United States Department of the Interior 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

Salmon Field Office 

1206 South Challis Street 

Salmon, Idaho 83467 

http://www .blm.gov/id/stlen/fo/salmon.html 

Ms. Brooke Chapman 

U.S. Dept of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey 

Washington DC 

Dear Ms. Chapman, 

I am writing to express my support for the Lemhi County Small Community Air Service 

Development Grant Program (SCASDP) submitted by one of our active partners and community 

member, JoAnne Wolters. If this grant is successful, commercial air service from Salmon to 

Boise would be available. I believe this is an extremely cost effective and beneficial commodity 

that has been lacking within our community and one that I personally and professionally will 

utilize. 

If proven cost effective through the federal travel authorization process, I anticipate utilizing this 

service for transporting time sensitive paperwork, as well as transporting BLM employees to and 

from meetings and conferences. In addition, this service would increase public access to 

federally managed public lands. Specifically, commercial air service will directly benefit the 

Outfitter and Guiding business by accommodating clients who would prefer to fly directly to 

their destination. 

In short, I believe that the Salmon Airport has the capacity to accommodate this added service 

and this project has my full support. Please feel free to contact me at (208) 756-5410 or at 

lrprice@blm.gov with any further questions you may have. 

Thank you for your consideration of this project. 

Linda Price 

Field Manager 

Salmon Field Office 
.Jet Soat' Idaho's Salmon Rlver July 20:13 

Ms. Brooke Chapman 

Associate Director 

Small Community Air Service Program 

Washington, D. C. 

Dear Ms. Chapman: 

This letter is to support the Small Community Air Service D:eve:lopment Program proposal for Lemhi 

County 1n the state ,Qfldaho. f: believe this prograJn would bene,fit the City of Salmon and the entire 

region surroundh;tg l:.emhLCounty. 

As a business in Lemh] County I have numerous clients c,ornfng from as far away as Texas and California. 

For the past 6 years that I've owned my business these dlents have flown to Boise or Idaho Falls and 

rented cars to get to Salmon. They have all expressed Interested in flying in and out of Salmon but 

nothing has been avaUablle for several years, Their travel time, would be cut by a complete day if thev 

were able to fly ln and out of Salmon on a trip wJth my busine.ss. Gaining a day for these business 

minded individuals would be worth every cent of the flight to and fronl Salmon. 

In the past, I. have utUized the flights to and from Sa1mo:n to .Boise when time was of the essence for my 

business. The, drive to Boise a:ver~rg,es about five hours when the weather is good and about six to eight 

hours when the weather is bad. The flight to Boise in the past has gained me an entire day for my 

travel, and again, worth every cent I ,Pcdd for the flight to Bt:Jise. 

For recreation traveil to vls!tparents and relatives, the connections.out ofBoise would be irwaruable. 

The past six years I pe:rsona:H'l average, one trip to visit family overthe, off seas,on and have had to drive 

to either Sa it lake City or BoJs.e to ga:in access to flights to my destrnahons. The connections out of 

Salmon to Boise would aUow an extra dayo0f vacati;on,and I'm certain the costs of p:arking, gas, hote,l, 

etc. would come, close to the cost of a ticket from.Salmonto Boise. 

Pfease consider awarding a grant to Lemhi CountY for new air service in and out of the Salmon-Lemhi 

County' Airport. Adding air service .to the isQ:Iated area Qflemhi: County-wou:ld benefit the community in 

many ways. 

If you have any questions please caH ,or e.-mail at (208)756w 1657, Jim@arcticcreeklodge,,,com. Thank you 

for considering my, input and l''loping for new tiirseJVice at 'the Salm,on-Lemhl County Airport~ 

Sincerely, 

Jim O'Connor 

Arcfi,c Creek Lodge & Tours# Inc~ 

www.arctfccreeklodge;com 

.~n.:tic Cre~k lodge & l 
S'Jnw~ ~~ S'MvM'fl~p 

Working to~ a sustainable econom_y and productive working landsc~pes 

]n the Salmon River region of central Idaho , 

July 9, 2013 

Ms. Brooke Chapman 

U.S. Dept of Transportation 

1200 New Jerse 

Washington DC 

Dear Ms. Chapman: 

www.salmonvalle_y.org 

I am writing in support of Lemhi County, Idaho's Small Community Air Service 

Development Program proposal. I firmly believe that improvements in our 

commercial air availability is key to our rurat isolated community's economic 

future. 

Lemhi County, Idaho has an abundance of natural amenities, including 92 percent 

public land, a nexus to the world-famous Middle Fork and Main Salmon River, 

hunting and fishing opportunities, mountain bike trails, the Continental Divide 

National Scenic Trait the Lewis and C~ark National Historic Trail, and the Nez Perce 

National Historic Trail. The community has access to high-speed internet and has 

improved wireless communications infrastructure to be able to support knowledge 

workers who are free to locate virtually wherever they please. We've invested in a 

new hospital facility, and medical services that once required a trip out of town are 

now being captured locally. 

But the fact remains that Lemhi County is extremely isolated. Highway 93 connects 

to our nearest metropolitan neighbor- Missoula, Montana - 140 miles to the north, 

while Highway 28 extends to Idaho Falls 160 miles to the southeast. When my 

family first moved to Salmon in 2002, regularly scheduled flights to Boise (as often 

as daily in the busy summer months) provided an affordable, convenient way for 

professionals to use Salmon as home base and for tourists to come enjoy our many 

recreational opportunities. The recession was not particularly kind to any region in 

the United States/ and Lemhi County was no exception. We've emerged from the 

1 07 S. Center 5t. Salmon, JD 8 7+6 7 208.756.1686 into@salmonvalle!j.org 
recession with rebounding tourist visits and growth in independent businesses, but 

without regularly scheduled commercial air service. While we are fortunate to have 

a few companies providing charter service to and from Salmon, the effect is clearly 

not the same and the loss is felt on many levels. 

My organization, for example, relies on the participation of individuals and groups 

based in Boise to help us reach broad stakeholder consensus so we can help move 

public lands management proposals forward to benefit the ~nvironment and the 

local economy. When we had regularly scheduled air service that was afford?ble, we 

were much more successful in securing participation from these important players .. 

For my own staff travel (some of which requires trips to Washington DC), we 

frequently have to add on the cost of mileage and hotel, as well as the corresponding 

additions of staff time, to catch flights to and from Missoula or Idaho Falls. · 

Salmon Valley Stewardship's costs and inconveniences are minor issues compared 

to what economists know about the link between air access and a rural community's 

viability. In the 2009 Headwaters Economics report, The Economic Importance.of 

Air Travel in High-Amenity Rural Areas, the authors conclude: ((The implications of 

our findings are that it is important to move beyond the simple "metro" versus 

"rural" distinctions if we are to understand the possibilities for rural development. 

There are, in the American West as well as elsewhere in the world, places that 

appear "rural" in terms of their natural setting, but that are connected to major 

population centers and their markets via air travel. They are neither completely 

rural nor completely metropolitan, and should be viewed as a distinct category with 

different rates of growth and economic structure. The implication for rural 

development is that the easier it is to access an airport with daily commercial 

service to major cities, the more the rural area becomes transformed into an 

economy that behaves like a metropolitan area, including the attraction of 

knowledge-based workers."i 

Please don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions or would like to discuss 

this further. 

Sincerely, 

i Rasker, R., Gude, P.H., Gude, J.A., and van den Noort, J. (2009) The Economic 

Importance of Air Travel in High-Amenity Rural Areas. Journal of Rural Studies 

25(2009): 343-353 
Ms. Brooke Chapman 

1200 New Jersey Ave1 SE 

Washington DC 20590 

Dear Ms. Chapman, 

T•O ENGINEERS 

The City of Salmon and Lemhi· County comprise one of the most remote areas in the lower 48 states. 

The county is comprised of the· Lemhi and Salmon River valleys and is bordered on the west by the Frank 

Church River of No Return WHderness~ the- largest contiguous wilderness in the lower 48 states. 

Our company has worked with Lemhi County and the lemhi County Airport for the past 10 years on 

multiple projects funded by the FAA's Airport Improvement Program. The airport is located just south of 

the City of 'Salmon while our company is located in Boise, the state capital. Though the two cities are 

only separated by a distance of 160 air miles, the shortest route available by automobile covers 250 

miles over five separate highways (SH 44, SH 55, SH 21, SH 75 and US 93). State Highway 75 crosses 

Banner Summit at an elevation of 7,037 feet and is often closed by avalanches for extended periods of 

time through the winter. During the summer travel time takes approximately 5 hours and while travel 

times are unpredictable in winter months. 

When scheduled air service between Salmon and Boise was availabfe', travel time from Bois.e to Salmon 

was as little as 2 hours. The availability of air service made day travel to Salmon a possibility where a 

day trip today requires a minimum of 10 hours of driving. I think you can see how valuable air service 

would be to bus.iness in the area. Many communities will apply Small Community Air Service 

Development Grants; however no community would receive a greater benefit from the establishment of 

air service than Lemhi County. 

Sincerely 

Nathan Cuvala, PE 

Project Manager 

DT/7 Chinden Bouiewwd Boise, JD 837 '14 Phom'? \2\)8) 32:~-2288 Fm, {208) 323-2399 info@•to-<ilnyil'''"r'r$.c:Orn to--engineers.com 

Aviation i Transportation I Land Development I Municipal I Water Resources I Surveying 
'~~tr~ f(§\ 

Cfi1'1nersfrJbithierGmfmlllit:v 

Lemhi County Crisis Intervention 

901 Main St. 

Ms. Brooke Chapman 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jerse 

Washington DC 

Dear Ms. Chapman: 

Salmon, Idaho 83467 

July 15, 2013 

Lemhi County Crisis Intervention/The Mahoney House is writing this letter in 

support of Idaho's Small Community Air Service Development Program proposal. Our 

rural, isolated community has suffered financially due to lack of commercial air 

availability. 

Lemhi County, Idaho has many amenities, including a plethora of outdoor activities. 

We have a new hospital, which has allowed our community the opportunity to access health 

care locally. We have a Veteran's Behavioral Health Clinic to serve our local veterans. We 

have a distance learning center for those wishing to further their education. 

The fact remains, Lemhi County is extremely isolated. We lie on the border of Idaho 

and Montana and are approximately 160 miles in either direction to the nearest city. When 

I first moved to Salmon in 1986, our community offered daily flights from Salmon to Boise 

and McCall. It was affordable and a convenient way to travel the distance of 300 miles. 

Travel by car took 5 hours to Boise and in the winter, 7 hours, if the roads were not closed. 

As a handicapped professional, I found air travel the only way I could travel in the 

winter months. And in the summer, my problem is always "time". I am required to attend 

conferences in Boise during winter months and I depended on air travel to facilitate that. 

While I am only one person, there are many businesses that would benefit from the 

opportunity to travel by air. In the work I do, I see firsthand the importance of gaining 

knowledge and education from outside rural Salmon and sharing that with the community. 

While we are small and isolated, we are proud and self-sufficient in many ways. We 

take care of each other and we "find a way" to make sure our community gets the best there 

is to offer. "Time" is important to each of us and one way of helping us continue to be 

connected to the larger communities is to implement air travel in Lemhi County, Idaho. 

Thank you for your time. 

Sincerely, 

Denise M. Bender 

Executive Director 

Telephone: 208-756-3146 Fax: 208-756-1228 Crisis Line: 208-940-0600 

Email:lcci@centurytel.net 

Web site: www.mahoneyhouse.com 
Ms. Brooke Chapman, 

Associate Director 

Sherry Elrod 

742 Highway 93 North 

Carmen, ID 83462 

208-756-1319 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

US Department of Transportation 

Washington, DC 

Dear Ms. Chapman, 

I am writing in support of the Lemhi County, Idaho's Small Community Air Service 

Development Program proposal. My husband, John Treankler and I moved here 

in 2006, from Southern California. Both of us had lived in So. Cal all of our lives 

and as a result we have extensive family, friends and business associates in the 

So. Cai area. Many have never been to Idaho. 

Air travel to Southern California from Missoula or Idaho Falls is very limited and 

equally challenging is the long commute to these regional airports as Lemhi 

County is located in a remote area. Commuting to Missoula is 140 miles to the 

north via Highway 93 and Idaho Falls is 160 miles southeast via Highway 28. 

Both commutes are long and can be very difficult in the winter months. This has 

made traveling for us and our friends and family a logistical headache. 

Allegiant Air, the only primary carrier from Idaho Falls, had offered non-stop 

flights to So. Cal, but recently announced they are eliminating air travel from 

Southern California to Idaho after August 15th. Air travel from to So. Cal from 

Boise offers many additional options and is much more convenient, but 

commuting to Boise from Lemhi County is 253 miles trek. This can be a 5+ hour 

drive in summer months, and traveling during the winter can add many additional 

hours with road closures. Most of the time to travel out of Boise, you need to 

leave a day ahead of a scheduled departure, and this adds costs with hotel fees 

as well as high fuel costs. With local air service, we could coordinate local air 

flights with flights from Boise. 

A few years ago, we had local air service here in Lemhi County to Boise. Local 

air service offered us convenience, less wear and tear on the vehicle, eliminated 

parking fees, less fatigue from long round trip road commutes to airports and 

offers us great air connections from Boise. 

Because of our remote location, my husband and have had to decrease our air 

travel out of the area because of the issues I mentioned. This lack of local air 

service has also curtailed trips from many our family, friends and associates who 
Sherry Elrod 

742 Highway 93 North 

Carmen, ID 83462 

208-756-1319 

would like to visit us. They are very busy and have limited time to spend and 

cannot justify the headache of the long commutes combined with high fuel costs, 

rental car fees, limited flights, and increased airfares. 

My husband and I want local air service restored, this would greatly increase air 

travel for us give us the opportunity to bring more of our family, friends and 

associates here to see us in Idaho. I appreciate your time and attention to the 

matter. 

Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss this further. 

Sincerely, 

Sherry Elrod 

Resident of Lemhi County 
12 July 2013 

Brooke Chapman 

Associate Director 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Washington, DC 

Dear Ms. Chapman, 

My husband and I are in favor of air service from Salmon ID to Boise ID. We are 

both retired and have the financial resources to purchase air service and the long 

trip in the car is becoming more and more difficult. 

My husband is a veteran and needs regular appointments at the VA. 

Having been born and raised in Kansas, I travel back to Kansas City, landing at 

MCI to see relatives a couple of times a year and must add several hours of 

driving~ to a major airport., to my flight time. 

I must drive several hours to Salt Lake City to see my four children and 

grandchildren. My children would happily buy plane tickets from Salmon to Boise 

and then SLC from Boise when I am needed to watch their kids when they go on 

business trips or parent get-a-ways. 

I am the Disaster Action Team Leader for the American Red Cross in Lemhi and 

Custer Counties. I must travel to Boise for training. 

Please consider supporting the citizens of Salmon in this wonderful project. 

Sincerely, 

Vicki Hamilton 

615 Idaho Avenue 

Salmon ID 83467 
LEMHI COUNTY AIRPORT 

Jtd¥ t5,, 2{{li]3 

IIOuke Chapntan 

ltJJ.S. llJeparfir:men1t of Commerce 

lllrre li.emtttii Cootrlllly' #iliJP(Qtrft Boord SUfO~ 1t1e proJ01Q!ied !Letmthii, C'OOn4fVtSmal! ~miifly' 

Nrr ~ce b'1ithe utyd'Sdlnrr-on ood~ang c~1ies.. 

liher.e mot' be no, o1lther rregioo:sou!ltt: ofh ~or.1 tb:otrder~ retmtote 1!1tTorrJ; Sofmrton, 

lidotho~ lfo pu.1t ilft lb'kumrtil~,- 1llhe. nearest IbeX sbe is 1lhree lh'OOI!s ~:.. !Hktwfmg oitr ~ im1 

and m1t d.-tithe-orec wood !hove a 1~er.r.JemdotJ5 ecanamic lbootrtrrl.. 
Lernhi County 

Economic Development 

1 Association 1 

L_ MvwlO:DAnet ____j 

Monroe • Salmon, Idaho 83467 • 208-756-1567 •Fax 208~756~1506 

July 23,. 2013 

Ms. Brooke Chapman.~ 

Associate Director 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Washington, DC. 

Re: Community Air Service-Salmon.~ Idaho.~ Lemhi County. 

Dear Ms. Chapman, 

This letter is being submitted in support of the 0

Application for Grant'~for the Small Community Air Service 

Development to assist our local community and county. With these resources, we will be able to return daily, 

commercial air service to our County. 

Salmon, Idaho is the county seat of Lemhi County; Idaho, that shares a common 130 mile border with southwestern 

Montana. Approximately 92% of the land mass of our county is Federally Owned. To say we are remote is an 

understatement Many local, state)' and national colleagues consider our area to be "'Frontiern in nature. Our 

closest commercial airport is in Missoula, Montana, 140 miles to the north of Salmon, a 3 hour drive. Other 

commercial air services are in Idaho Falls, Idaho, 165 miles southeast, or Boise, Idaho, due west and depending on 

the route, is a minimum of 5 ~ hours to drive. 

In the past, daily service to Boise was available., but because of the continual down tum in our ability to access our 

natural resources for commercial benefit and the change in the overall economy, the service was no longer viable 

and had to be abandoned. With the recent approval for some of the natural resources and other economic 

improvement, a return to that daily service would continue to enhance our economic potential. 

Lemhi County's economic leader is agricultural, ie., our Beef industry. But we have Manufacturing and Light 

Industrial in play as well as mining and some timber resource management. Leaders of all these organizations 

hope for the return of a quicker; economic form of transportation to the major hubs in our region. 

Salman, Idaho is also the Headquarters for the Salmon-Challis National Forest as well as the area office for the 

BLM. 

Your consideration and approval of the aforementioned application will assist us in stabilizing our transportation 

concerns and will result in a tremendous benefit to our patrons here in Lemhi County and across our State. This 

grant will be key in helping businesses stay viable and allow our children the opportunity to have gainful 

employment and not leave our area. 

Best Regards., 

Alan E. Howell 

Board ChGirman 
,-

! 

LEMHI COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES 

VETERANS SERVICES 

July 23 1 2013 23 

Ms. Brooke Chapman 

206 COURTHOUSE DR 

SALMON, IDAHO 83467 

208-756-2276 EXT 226 

U.S. Dept of Transportation 

1200 New Jerse 

Washington DC 

Dear Ms. Chapman: 

I am writing a letter of support for Lemhi County Idaho's 

Small Corrmunity Air Service Development Program proposal. 

This is an opportunity for more services in our small rural 

community. 

Lemhi County is in the Boise VISN of the Veterans Affairs 

Medical system. There are approximately 2000 veterans here 

in our county, not counting our neighboring county of 

Custer. Our veterans utilized the Salmon Air service 

numerous times prior to termination. There are times the 

veterans are in need of specialty care and are referred to 

the Boise VA Hospital. Again being an isolated community 

it is 5 hours or more for our older soldiers and those with 

medical needs to travel. There are those veterans \vho are 

financially limited and have no means of transportation. 

The air fare would get them there and back in a shorter 

amount of time. Our small community based outpatient 

clinic would possible utilize this air fare also to bring 

our part time doctor and occasional VA staff to and from 

Salmon. 

If there are any questions please call Sue Dickens at 208-

756-2276 ext 226 Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 

p.m. 

T~~y:62-J~ ~ckens 

Social Services Director 

Veterans Service Officer 
M.eridian Beartrack Com::pany 

A wholly owned subsicliary ofJlletidiall Gold CompaltJ' 

Beartrack Project 

P.O. 749 

Salmon~ ID 83467 

(775) 200-4959 

J'vls. Brooke Chapn1an, Associate Director 

Snutll Community Air Service Development Program 

Departtuent of 'Transportation 

\Vashington, DC 

~fs. Chapman: 

In previous years J\!Ieddian Beartrack .Co, a n1ining cotnpany with a project local to Salmon, Idaho has 

in the past used scheduled flights from Saln1on to connect to larger comn1ercial flights. 

The business that was carrying the scheduled flights at the time eliminated the routine scheduling 

which n1ade it hupossible to plan for air travel to and from Sal:mon. Meridian and its bus·iness partners 

n<Yw must drive to larger cities such as Idaho FaUst II), or l\!fissoula, Butte and Helena, fv1T for access 

to cotnmercial flights going to our con1nlOll business destinations. This is less· econ01uic than 

purchasing a tlight from Boise, lD or Salt Lake City, OT ifa direct flight from Salmon \:Vere available 

to meet connections at either of the lattet two locations. 

Meridian and its business relations would be keen to once again utilize reasonably priced scheduled 

flights from Salmon to connect to large commercial flights as.an.altemative to driving and often 

spending nights it1 other cities as part of our travel plans. 

~.......-"' ... ·"""'""'"'' Adf11 \'\lhitman 

Pre~ident 

Mfdian Beartrack 

l 

l 
Brook Chapman, Associate .Director 

Small Community Air Service Program 

Washington, DC. 

I am writing in support of the re-establishment of scheduled air service between 

Salmon, Idaho and Boise, Idaho. I have be.en a visitor to Idaho ·for over 40 years and 

now have a residence there for both summer and winter occupancy. The air service 

to Salmon is of vital importance at least for the following reasons: 

1. the outfitters and other businesses in the area depend on reasonable logistics 

for their clients and customers in order to be successful. 

2. Residents need an affordable means of transportation for both business and 

pleasure other than an arduous 6 hour drive to Boise. 

3. Those in need of medical attention not available in salmon, such as those 

offered a.t the Mountain States Tumor Institute in Boise, may not be able to 

withstand the drive to get there. 

4. My family and friends have long been users of the scheduled air service and 

have personally experienced the difficulties resulting from its 

discontinuation. 

If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Thanks for your consideration of this matter. 

y~~l~ 

Arthur Tonsmeire 

PO Box 74 

Lemhi, ID 83465 

251-423-7955 

askiptons@gmail.com 

....................................................... .-...................... ···-·-·--·-----------····--·--
Re'\t·~ Cltase Haseno-el1rl 

St. Charles' Roman Catholi¢ Chura 

Salmonl Idaho sa.!W7• Phone: (20$)756..~432 

£-.Mail: fatberchase@custertd.n~f Weln ·WW\\'<catlm.ticsalmt'Ul,rom 

July 18, .201! 

Ms. Brooke Chapman, Associate Directbty 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Washingt<>n, oo 

Dear Ms. Chapman: 

[J 

!·am·VVI'itmi·in su'port ot1-·i€l<lltli<>.t:9'6ah:~ijJVie~·s .• to l:;elllh.i County. ·ne.proposa.lfot tbe Small C6II1munity Air 

Semee. Deve!opmentP~··sh:.oll\l<l.'m•~ ~-~:(dr·an-un;1ber·ofimportantreasons. 

Due .fo· the i~olation:,·and chaHenge.• of''b'aci~fl<)~Uon .to and.·from. Lemhi County, ·religions services and opportunities are 

ldndex-ed., Iam th~A<t~frt4tor qf:~e:¢atll~lic ~~&.whicb·en:r:ompass~s.·n<>t.o~y··Lemhi·cowt)t,. but also Custer and 

Butte·.countit}s.·Tld~··t~~,~~~eartr·t~,~~~·s7~~;:~e~, •• ~ .. otdy.po~let~•traver~~···by •• bvo~Jae.··s~'.hignways, co~ered 

for months in ·$:qow·au.d•·i<fe, ~J:Y~U~···~~·r:t·•I~M,Win.~g •r:ive~.l:havernpxttlJlYU'l~etin.gs in.-Boise,.whlch·can.tate over.li\te '-

boul1Sto drlvtw,:mo~m~·~~t~~e~~~~·:~~Y ~~$e~.are:closoo.·~rivillgup·.·tQ·l2ho~ .for•a round-tti~joumey 

is··tru.Iya burden, and:~<>ula:~if~itU£¢1ed f.~r~~our..Jongllight This•time .. $aviqoption would ·be greatly beneficiaL 

~nside~gour dangeJ>(l>lJS tO~S·•.m:.t:Jle \Vin,fe~, aswella:f thec<>nstan~· riskoftoJlision wifhwildlife, ali air service Option 

would also lend itself to• much greater safety. 

Dueto<fhe attracrl've .l"U;gged b¢aut;y <>:f(;)url<:>c::al·~nmt<>tn'nentand the demands ofl'tly p.arlsh, ·I regularly have visitors. Sotne 

ate··•disoour~dft'Qxn•visitij);g'by•tll,e Clll~ttj·<;j~:g¢ijling.'i> .. ~<>l1~ Ourn.ea:rest.pul>lic··airports·with c<>mmerciaUlights··•e 

ldaho·Falls,·Idaho•and.:~soti1~·•!4Q~~~;··~~·~~~~i¢h·are·;r~ugbly·t4Q···nille.saway.and··over··mo~taJn·Passes. ·For 

e~ple,.in tbe·.Ja$tyea.rt J··Jtave twi¢ehad·aVia,itor·ftomLacr<>sse,. Wisconsin. It.·has·•.·t:lken·.him.a·tw<Y'':ftdid~ys ·for· t:ravet~one 

to· come, and·.one·•·to·retl.lrtt •• 'To:•~V~,~~····~~st •. ·~~.:~(>·:commerci~.~b~,:and• .. fb¢n ·~ 8:hotm'•W'~e' in salm0n, 

Idaho. If·c0n:lm$ialair•.sem(le:were availa\ble :to· Smmon,;he would allnosteertainlyutilize· that- option~ Others too, who 

pemaps woUld Jike·t<> ·visit, are di$e<>~d fto.t:n d()ing so beca.u$e·offhe diflcuteyoftransportation. A co:mmerc:iai air 

service option in l~nibi Com:ityw()mclalso be~atJthe1pfUlin haVing our Di<>cesa.n Grant Writert who works :in Boise, 

visit to assist and .assess our parish fe>r~'att'liP~~~~pant. She ~Y. choose u()tto vi$itbecause· ofthedl$tance,.Wbichwill 

binder our ability to·be able to·apply·for a,t1 essentiaf•pan;tforADA Handicap facilities in our chureh. 

For these, and many <>1lher.~easo•,l·reqlie$t'that·il:,.emtll·CoUn;t:y begrante.d.suppot:t to· :restore· and :increase eontmercbl air 

service options. 

t~f·~·~ 

Rev. Chase iiasenoebtl 

Adlniuistrator 
Brooke Chapman, Associate Director 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Washington, DC 

July 12, 2013 

Dear Ms. Chapman: 

This letter is sent in response to a request asking for personal testimony regarding air service into 

and out of Salmon, Idaho. 

Salmon, Idaho is a small community that is 165 miles from any community with larger services and 5 

hours on tough roads from the State capital in Boise. As such, the air service that was available in 

the past was a god send if you where pressed for time or did not want to travel the roads for whatever 

reason. 

The facility in Salmon is not fancy or large but it has had and is currently in the starting stages of 

some major improvements in the hopes of staying current and being able to accommodate larger ; 

all in the hopes of having a service(s) that would allow economic growth to the community. 

In reading the request it is my understanding that there is a wish to resume a flight service to Boise 

with possible expansion in the future. If this is the case then I would fully endorse such a proposal. 

I used the previous service on many occasions and have business associates that used the service 

either for themselves or clients. In the past the service seemed to have customers coming and going 

on all flights and it was very economical when you factored in time lost traveling the roads. 

There is a large National Forest and a BLM office that employs over a hundred individuals. Many 

:are traveling to Regional or National offices on a routine basis. It would appear that having access 

to a flight hub like Boise would be a plus to those agencies or any other individual or company that 

wants to visit or do business in the Salmon area. 

I would ask that you and your review committee give this grant proposal great consideration and 

realize that such a service would be a great asset to our community. 

Best Regards, 

Steve Adams 

Executive Director, Youth Employment Program, Inc. 

Vice Chair Lemhi County Economic Development Ass 
July 23, 2013 

Idaho State Dept of Commerce, Labor and Touris1n 

Dear Sir/Ma'am: 

Quest Aircraft Company would like to acknowledge our support for the efforts of Salmon 

Air and the Salmon-Lemhi County Airport Authority to establish air service in the region. 

Providing air service for residents, businesses, and tourists alike will be a great addition 

to this region. The possibilities for air service in Idado are endless. Besides air charter 

service for passengers and cargo, the aircraft could be used for emergency services, aerial 

observation, and search and rescue. 

As an Idaho based company, we feel we understand the needs of aviation customers in 

the Rocky Mountain States. Our product, the KODIAK, is built in Sandpoint, ID. We 

are the proud employers of some 170 Idahoans. The aircraft we've designed and build is 

perfect for moving people and cargo into regions similar to those found near Salmon. 

Leveraging the air charter experience of Salmon Air and the aircraft from Quest is 

certainly the makings of a valuable State resource. We are proud to stand side-by-side 

with Salmon Air to develop what will truly be an Idaho air service for our residents and 

visitors. 

Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions you may have regarding our 

support for this vital air service. 

Sincerely, 

Stephen Zinda 

Vice President 

Sales, Marketing and Customer Service 

Quest Aircraft Company, LLC 

1200 Turbine Drive, Sandpoint, 10 83864 

p: (208) 263-1111 f: (208) 265-1911 
July 24, 2013 

Ms. Brook Chapman, 

Associate Director 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

Washington, DC 

Re: Community Air Service -Lemhi County, Idaho 

Dear Ms. Chapman, 

IDAHO 

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 

C. L. "BUTCH" OTTER, GoVERNOR 

ROGER B. MADSEN, DIRECTOR 

The Idaho Department of Labor supports Lemhi County's effort to secure a grant for Small 

Community Air Service Development. Air service opportunities between Lemhi County and 

Boise will be a valuable tool for the region's economy. Lemhi County's remote, rural location 

requires the use of a variety of transportation modes. Air transportation to and from Boise would 

be an effective tool for economic development. 

The area is attractive to travelers from across the country. Lemhi County9

S leisure and hospitality 

industry accounts for nearly 20 percent of area jobs- almost 55 percent more than nationally. 

These tourist dollars provide a necessary boost to the economy and employment for many area 

residents. 

Lemhi's June unemployment rate was 10.6 percent. Air transportation would not just provide 

employment for those directly involved with the aircraft. For every job created in the air 

transportation industry, an additional job is created or sustained within the region. Additional 

spending resulting from increased leisure and business travel would create much needed job 

security and employment opportunities. Mining and mineral exploration in the area is attracting 

global attention. Facilitating access to the region could bring hundreds of jobs as the mining 

industry expands. 

Please consider Lemhi County as an optimal location for this grant opportunity. The Idaho 

Department of Labor is committed to generating quality jobs and maintaining an educated, 

skilled workforce that serves as the foundation of strong communities with vibrant, diversified 

and expanding economies. We stand ready to assist with any air transportation workforce needs 

in Lemhi County. 

Sincerely, 

~b./W~ 

Roger B. Madsen 

Director 

CENTRAL OFFICE • 317 West Main Street • Boise, Idaho 83735 • Tel: 208-332-3570 • labor. idaho.gov 

Equal Opportunity Employer