GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — The nation’s top ocean research agency says it can’t find a better base for its research fleet than the port of Newport on the Oregon Coast.
The review issued Tuesday marks the latest round in a hot political battle between Oregon and Washington over which will be the home port of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s four research ships since facilities in Seattle burned.
The review found the Newport site is in a floodplain, but so are sites in Bellingham, Wash., and Port Angeles, Wash. Also, the two Washington sites have lower technical ratings, and the Newport proposal is cheaper.
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden says this is a definitive decision, although NOAA’s final decision awaits a 30-day public comment period.
