U.S. Department of Transportation Office ofthe Secretary OfTransportation

The Honorable John Hoeven United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Hoeven: 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E. Washington, DC 20590

Thank you for your letter supporting the application submitted bythe Bismarck Airport for a grant under the U.S. Department ofTransportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program.
The Small Community Air Service Development Program was established to help smaller communities address air service deficiencies, particularly issues related to high airfares or insufficient service. Under the statute, the Department may make a maximum of40 grant awards each year, although no more than four awards may be to communities inthe same State. In order to provide communities with latitude in developing solutions to their air service deficiencies, the statute provides flexibility inthe types ofprojects that can be funded.
On June 24, the Department issued an order setting a deadline ofJuly 26 for applications. As these grant requests are pending before the Department, I cannot comment on the merits ofany particular proposal. I assure youthat the Department will give full and fair considerationto all proposals that have beenproperly filed.
As is our standardpractice, I amplacing a copy ofyour letter and this response in Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120 as a contact outside the record ofthis matter. I appreciate your interest in this program.JOHN HOEVEN NORTH OAKOTA 338 RUSSEU SENATE OfFICI:: BUill)ING TELtPHOI'IE: l2021 224-2551 f'AXo (202\ 224-7!199
hoevlm.senate.gov



### Ms. Brooke Chapman Associate Director 

# CJl.:lnttcd**~mtcs ~cnotr**  WASHINGTON. DC 20510



### July 25, 

### 2013

Small Community Air Service Development Program U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Avenue SE, RoomW86-307 Washington, D.C. 20590
Reference: Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120
DearMs. Chapman, COMMITTEES: AGRICIJLT\JRE APPROPRIATION$ ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES INDIAN AFFAIRS



### I am writing to express myinterest in the application submitted bythe Bismarck Airport to the Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) program, administered

### bythe U.S. Department ofTransportation. I appreciate your time and attention.
As youmay know, North Dakota's economy is growingvery rapidly and the state has become a major producer ofoil and natural gas. Air transportation is a critical component for continuingthis economic growth andthe efficient movement ofpeople by air is essential to sustaining the level ofeconomic activity takingplace in the Bismarck area. However, seat and flight capacityto Bismarck have been reduced in recent years despite theincreased demand, resulting in some ofthe highest air fares in the nation and sending a clear signal that additional air service competition is needed. To correct this situation, the Bismarck Airport has submitted an application to the SCASD program for funding to support new network air service. Addressing such air service challenges is the precise reason for which theprogram was created by Congress.Accordingly, I sincerely hope theBismarck Airport application receives the full and fair consideration it deserves. Again, thank you for yourtime. Please keep me informed ofthe review process, and feel free to contact my office at (202) 224-2551.

10:44 Sincerely'

# ~~-11&!1-'C.tC.••--·--.· ..... ---, John Hoeven U.S. Senator