Recent aerial photo of construction of the new NOAA facility in Newport (Courtesy Port of Newport)

Salem Statesman Journal Editorial Board
February 26, 2011

The NOAA Pacific fleet is still headed to Newport even though a Washington congressman tried to block it. Last week, the U.S. House rejected an attempt to eliminate funding for the ships' move from Seattle.

Oregonians have 5th District Rep. Kurt Schrader to thank for rallying his colleagues against Seattle Rep. Jim McDermott's budget amendment The House sided with Schrader on a 333-91 vote.

The episode provides a glimpse into how Congress works — and why it has such difficulty cutting spending.

It has been 11/2 years since the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a contract to the Port of Newport as the future base for its Pacific fleet. The NOAA contingent, formally known as Marine Operations Center-Pacific (MOC-P), was based on Seattle's Lake Union until a fire destroyed the pier in 2006.

Newport is a much better location. NOAA ships will have a 15- to 20-minute sail to open ocean compared with eight hours from Lake Union. Newport's bid also was less expensive and technically superior than the three proposals from Washington ports.

Several reviews have upheld NOAA's selection of Newport, construction is ahead of schedule, and the agency's 20-year lease starts May 1. But Washington state's congressional delegation keeps trying to undo the move.

McDermott's amendment was among some 600 proposed for a House budget resolution. Credit Schrader's staff for spotting it and immediately taking action. Armed with details about why Newport made sense financially and scientifically, his staff members spread that information to other congressional offices while Schrader took to the House floor. Among his points was that the McDermott amendment would increase costs and the delay would jeopardize NOAA's work.

"Newport was the superior choice for the taxpayers and the best choice to fulfill NOAA's mission," Schrader said.

McDermott, a fellow Democrat, was doing his job on behalf of his Seattle-area constituents. If the situation were reversed, Oregonians probably would expect the same of their lawmakers. But it doesn't make sense to keep fighting a fiscally prudent and scientifically responsible decision.

(Additional photos of construction progress taken February 25, 2011)