PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles could still appeal the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s decision to relocate its research fleet from Seattle to Newport, Ore.
The three port commissioners did not take action on the matter at their Monday meeting.
“It’s an open question at this point,” said John Calhoun, port commission president, after the meeting.
The port agencies of Port Angeles, Bellingham and Seattle sought to win the 20-year lease, which NOAA signed with the coastal Oregon city on Friday.
“We have submitted our intention to take part in a briefing from NOAA,” Calhoun said.
The briefing will take place Aug. 18 in Seattle, Calhoun said.
The port commissioners will decide whether to appeal the NOAA decision after that briefing and after consulting with its partner agencies.
A $129,000 proposal to bring the fleet to Port Angeles was split among the port ($54,000), the city of Port Angeles ($50,000) and Clallam County ($25,000).
After the announcement Aug. 4, Washington officials considered whether the Port of Newport had an unfair advantage because of a $19.5 million boost from the state of Oregon.
According to The Seattle Times, the Port of Newport would issue $24.76 million in revenue bonds to cover half the cost of the new facility, and the state agreed to add $19.5 million in bonding capacity.
Newport is home to an Oregon State University marine-science lab, where about 120 NOAA employees and contractors work.
NOAA’s four-ship research fleet has been located in Seattle’s Lake Union since 1911. The facility services six NOAA ships in California, Alaska and Hawaii.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
