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Rep. Costa Voices Concern Over Proposed Transfer of Fresno Terminal Area Approach Control

May 18, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC -In a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration, Congressman Jim Costa(D-Fresno) today expressed his concern over the proposed transfer of the FresnoTerminal Area Approach Control to LasVegas.

"There are many areas of concern that need to bemeticulously thought out prior to any decision," Costa noted.

The text of the letter follows:

June 21, 2006

Marion C. Blakey

Administrator

Federal Aviation Administration

800Independence Avenue, SW

Washington,DC 20591

Dear Administrator Blakey:

I am writing to express my concern regarding the FAA'sproposed plan to consolidate the Fresno Terminal Area Approach Control (TRACON)facility into the facility at LasVegas.

First, the proposed consolidation would present a number ofnew challenges for Fresno that would impairsafety and service for the Fresnoarea. TRACONs are designed to beeffective within 100 miles of their location, and utilize line-of-sight andground-radar based technology. Thepresence of the Sierra mountain range between the two locations presents aformidable geographic obstacle with which ground-based radar would have tocontend. In addition the Valley's Tulefog often results in absolute zero visibility. I would hope that any proposed plan can meet these challenges withoutsacrificing safety or service.

Second, FresnoYosemite InternationalAirport is experiencinggrowth at a rate faster than the national average and also has two MilitaryOperations Areas for Lemoore Naval Air Station. As you know, Lemoore is presently seeking to expand these OperationAreas. I am concerned that the addedvolume in the airspace could not be adequately handled by a LasVegas location that would also control the airspace for itself and Bakersfield.

Finally, many of the air traffic controllers presentlyemployed at the Fresno TRACON are well-qualified and experiencedindividuals. Could you tell me whataffect the consolidation would have on this workforce?

Thank you for your attention to this matter and I lookforward to your response to these concerns.