# Qy fOODBANK

May 9, 2014 329 Applestill Road • El Centro, CA 92243 (760) 370-0966 • info@ivfoodbank.org

Secretary Anthony Foxx U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New JerseyAvenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 RE: Docket DOT-OST-2008-0299 Dear Secretary Foxx, I;,

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Iwrite to express my concerns with the Department ofTransportation's Tentative Orderto terminate the Essential Air Service (EAS) program in El Centro, California located in Imperial County. I urge you to considerthe negative economic impacts that may occur as a result of the proposed termination ofthe program. The Imperial CountyAirport has a tremendous track record ofsurpassing the EAS program requirements putforth by the government, as they have dramatically exceeded the enplanement minimum in four ofthe lastfive fiscal years. Unfortunately, in FY 2013, the Imperial CountyAirport barely fell below the ten enplanementthreshold, by reaching 9.5 enplanements forthe first time due to the change in the mandated air carrierthat occurred in 2013. There are extenuating circumstances that have led to the decline in enplanements. The uncertainty ofthe air carrier change from United based SkyWestto SeaportAirlines, which occurred in May of2013, has been a difficult and unpopulartransition. The change in timing (SkyWest service was extended fortwo months after its original announcement) in aircraft carriers and the learning curve for local user ofthe airportto transition to purchasing tickets from a system thatwas not linked to any major aircraft carrierwas cumbersome and unfortunate. To this day, those who fly from Imperial to San Diego have to leave the commuter terminal and gothrough security again before they can fly to their real destinations. Many local people have simply opted not to use this service. The uncertainty ofthe timing needed between flights is too risky to leave itto chance. Ifthe Imperial County community had never had SkyWest previously, and known the convenience offlying directlyto LAX with the ease of changing planes to anywhere in the world, then Seaport might be an adequate airline.

It is my understanding that your office made the decision to change from SkyWestto Seaport Airlines as the mandated carrier atthe Imperial CountyAirport. It is unfairthat less than one year afterthat decision was made, our local community and economy are being punished for this decision by a threatto discontinue service. We are a resilient community and we will adjust

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# ~ fOODBANK 329 Applestill Road • El Centro, CA 92243 (760) 370-0966 • info@ivfoodbank.org
to Seaport airlines, butwe will need more time to raise the .5 enplanements needed for your criteria. TheEl Centro Airport is crucial to a number of key industries in Imperial County. The alternative energy market is essential to the economic growth ofthe county. Our solar, wind and geothermal facilities are visited frequently bythe national corporation representatives that run these facilities and those who are interested in building more facilities in a county blessed with 360 days ofsunshine a year. Our agricultural community represents 33% ofour county's economic engine. Key leaders form the Ag industry serve on elected boards and committees both in Sacramento and Washington and need the ability to getto those places quickly and efficiently. Many Imperial County residents are important leaders in theirfields. Education, Government, Medical and non-profit leaders, like myself, require the ability to getto Sacramento and national conference locations without adding an extra day oftravel on to the front and back ends oftrips. The Imperial County houses one ofthe strategictraining facilities for Homeland Security's Border Patrol and operates from that base a large patrol area along the Mexican Border. The Naval Air Facility El Centro is also a strategic training facility for aircraft carrierfighter pilots and helicoptertraining. The elimination ofthe Imperial County Airport would affect other government bureaus and departments in very negativeways. As you know, the Essential Air Service was put into place to guarantee that small communities, including those within the Imperial County, continue to be served by certificated air carriers. Overthe last several years, Imperial County has experienced the highest unemployment rate in the nation. Ourfederal government should encourage economic growth, and consider all factors before terminating a much-needed program in the region. As you prepare the Final Order, I urge you to considerthe Imperial Valley's track record over the lastfive fiscal years, and askthatyou considerthe void thatwill be left should the Department ofTransportation ultimately decide to terminate the much-needed Essential Air Service program currently in effect atthe Imperial CountyAirport. It is truly essential. Thank you for yourtime and consideration of my request. Sincerely,

# tJA!f~ Sara Griffen Executive Director Imperial Valley Food Bank
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