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November 2007 - Proposed Air Service
                                                                                        

Horizon Air proposed to conduct scheduled service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) using their Bombardier DHC 8-402 (Q400 Dash 8) aircraft. The Q400 Dash 8 is part of the Bombardier Dash 8 family of turbo-propeller driven passenger aircraft. The Q400 Dash 8 can seat up to 76 passenger aircraft. The Horizon Air has provided the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with a letter of intent to initiate winter ski season passenger service into MMH.

Horizon Air is proposing to begin scheduled regional air carrier service to MMH beginning in December 2008 with two flights per day from LAX during the winter ski season (approximately December to April). The Town of Mammoth Lakes has prepared and the FAA has approved a forecast of future commercial aviation activity at MMH. Winter ski service is projected to increase to a maximum of eight flights per day by the year 2011. Summer service is projected to begin in 2012, with 2 flights per day to LAX for 8 weeks in July and August.

The approved aviation forecasts predict that the number of flights per day would increase from two to eight as additional regional markets such as Las Vegas, Northern California, San Diego, or an alternative Southern California market are added. The Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort would subsidize the winter ski air service. The projected summer air service would not be subsidized.

Scheduled daytime commercial air service would start with one morning and one afternoon flight. No aircraft would be scheduled to remain at the airport overnight. The proposed air service would utilize the existing MMH runway and taxiway system.

Construction of new airport facilities are not proposed. Winter service is not expected to exceed eight flights per day due to airport facility physical constraints (e.g. aircraft apron space and terminal capacity).

Proposed FAA Action

Approval of the proposed amendment to operations specifications for Horizon Air to permit scheduled commercial air service to MMH using the Brombardier Q400 Dash 8 aircraft pursuant to 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 119.

The establishment of scheduled commercial air service into MMH also necessitates a change in the MMH Operating Certificate from Class IV to Class I, pursuant to 14 CFR Part 139. Airports with a Class 1 certificate may accommodate scheduled service by aircraft capable of carrying 30 or more passengers, while airports with a Class IV certificate may accommodate unscheduled service by aircraft of similar size.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement Release

The FAA has prepared a Draft EIS to assess the potential environmental impacts of the Horizon Air's proposed air service The Draft EIS was released for agency and public review and comment on November 16, 2007. The official public review period is from November 23, 2007 to January 11, 2008.

Using guidance within FAA Order 1050.1E, potential impacts to these environmental resources were evaluated within the Draft EIS:

* Air Quality * Historic, Architechtural, Archaeological and Cultural Resources
* Compatible Land Use * Natural Resources and Energy
* Department of Transportation Section 4(f) * Noise
* Fish, Wildlife, and Plants * Secondary (Induced) Impacts
* Hazardous Materials and Solid Waste * Socioeconomic, Environmental Justice, Children's Health
* Water Quality

Copies of the Draft EIS will be available at the following public locations:

Closure of the Public Review process on the Draft EIS is January 11, 2008. To be considered comments concerning the Draft EIS must be received by the FAA no later than close of business on January 11, 2008.

Comments on the adequacy of the Draft EIS are to be submitted to Federal Aviation Administration, Mr. Chuck Cox of the Federal Aviation Administration at the address or facsimile number provided on the next page. Written comments concerning the Draft EIS can be provided to the FAA at the Public Workshops and the Public Hearing. An opportunity to provide verbal comments concerning the Draft EIS will be provided at the Public Hearing.

Public Workshops and Public Hearing

A Public Workshop regarding the Horizon Air's proposed air service Draft EIS will be held on December 18, 2007 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at the Town of Mammoth Lakes Council Chambers.

Town of Mammoth Lakes Council Chambers
437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite R
(Minaret Shopping Center)
Mammoth Lakes, California 93546

A second Public Workshop and a Public Hearing will be held on January 8, 2008 from 2:00 - 7:00 PM at the Town of Mammoth Lakes Council Chambers. The Public Workshop will be held from 2:00 - 3:30 PM. The Public Hearing will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 PM.

The closure of the Public Review process on the Draft EIS is January 11, 2008. To be considered comments concerning the Draft EIS must be received by the FAA no later than close of business on January 11, 2008.

Future Actions

Following receipt of agency and public comments on the DEIS, the FAA will prepare and publish a Final EIS.

Following the opportunity for agency and public comment on the FEIS, FAA will prepare a Record of Decision documenting its decision on the request for Horizon Air's request to amend its Operations Specifications to permit the proposed scheduled air service into MMH.

EIS Process

The following graphic illustrates where the FAA is in the overall Mammoth Yosemite Airport EIS process:

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