Lawmakers seek review of NOAA's planned move

Washington's two senators and five members of Congress have written to the U.S. Government Accountability Office asking for a review of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) decision to move its research fleet from Seattle to Newport, Ore.

More than a week ago, NOAA signed a lease with the Port of Newport agreeing to move the fleet from Lake Union to the small town on Oregon's coast.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., who pledged to fight the move, is requesting a full briefing from NOAA.

In a letter sent Tuesday by the seven elected officials, they ask that the Government Accountability Office examine the NOAA lease acquisition process and see whether it conforms to past and general practice and federal laws.

"We seek to ensure that the lease awarded for (the move) ultimately results in the best value option for NOAA and the American taxpayers," the politicians wrote. "Serious concerns have been expressed as to the basis for the final lease award decision."

The city of Seattle also is working with the owners of NOAA's facility on Lake Union to explore a formal protest, said Alex Fryer, spokesman for Mayor Greg Nickels.

NOAA's decision earlier this month to move its research fleet came as a surprise to both Seattle and Newport. Port Angeles and Bellingham were also competing for the 20-year lease.

The federal agency that studies the Earth's oceans, atmosphere and weather has based ships at Lake Union since 1916. Its Pacific Marine Operations Center has been housed at the same lake facility since 1963. That lease expires in June 2011.

The site on Lake Union was damaged by a fire in 2006, and since then NOAA has been forced to dock its ships in the Port of Seattle and at a local shipyard.

The move is scheduled for 2011.

The letter was signed by Sens. Patty Murray and Cantwell and House members Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, Adam Smith D-Tacoma, Brian Baird, D-Vancouver and Dave Reichert, R-Auburn.