SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

ASSOCIATION 

### of GOVERNMENTS MainOffice 818West Seventh Street 12th Floor losAngeles, California 90017-3435

t (213) 236-1800 f {213) 236-1825

www.scag.ca.gov

Officers President Carl Morehouse, San Buenaventura FirstVice President Cheryl Viegas-Walker, El Centro SecondVice President MicheleMartinez, SantaAna

Immediate PastPresident Greg Pettis,Cathedral City Executive/Administration CommitteeChair Carl Morehouse, SanBuenaventura

.

PolleyCommitteeChairs Community,Economic and

Human Development Margaret Finlay, Duarte Energy&Environment Deborah Robertson, Rialto Transportation AlanWapner, San Bernardino

Associated Governments May 13,2014 Secretary Anthony Foxx U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Foxx, -- "' '·.-- 

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The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is writing in support of El Centro's appeal to reverse the Department of Transportation's Tentative Order to terminate the Essential Air Service (EAS) program in El Centro, California located in Imperial County. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is the largest Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in the country representing six counties, 191 cities and over 18 million residents. SCAG advocates for a sustainable Southern California, while enabling dialogue between elected officials, agencies and citizens throughout the Region. Imperial County's Regional Council members and SCAG staff regularly utilize the flights between Imperial County and the Burbank Airport. In 2014, the travel time via single occupancy vehicle between Bob Hope Airport (BUR) and the City of El Centro ranges between 213- 265 minutes to travel 225 miles (SCAG 2012- 2035 Regional Transportation model). While the DOT eligibility is based on mileage and even with improvements to the surface transportation network, the driving times are long and unpredictable. Flying allows for more productivity. In the adopted 2012-2035 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Community Strategy (RTP/SCS} the adopted Aviation Element advocates for a decentralized aviation system in Southern California that provides airport access across the Region. It is forecast Imperial County's population will grow from 180,000to 270,000 which will yield substantial passenger grown at Imperial County Airport by 2035. This growth relies upon Imperial County's ability to provide quality education, encourage business growth and create good quality jobs in the future. Imperial County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the United States. The El Centro EAS service is the only reasonable means for Imperial County residents to discover opportunities for a more prosperous future. SCAG strongly supports El Centro's request to reverse the Tentative Order Regarding Termination of EAS Eligibilityfor El Centro, CA. Sincerely,

# ~cYlb Hasan lkhrata 

## (jd) Executive Director

TheRegional Council consists of86elected officials representing 191 cities, sixcounties, six CountyTransportation Commissions, onerepresentative from theTransportation CorridorAgencies, oneTribal Governmentrepresentativeand onerepresentativefor theAir Districtswithin SouthernCalifornia. 2014.05.05 printed on recycled paper@