NOAA Decision Still on Appeal

The Government Accountability Office has upheld the appeal of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's decision to move their fleet to Newport, OR. The appeal had been filed by the Port of Bellingham, which had bid (along with the Port of Port Angeles) for the fleet.

The Government Accountability Office didn't overturn the NOAA decision. They're only asking the NOAA to reassess their decision because the Newport location is at odds with the NOAA's own requirements. The Newport site is questionable because it's within the 100-year floodplain at the mouth of the Yaquina River.

Senator Maria Cantwell had been pushing to have the NOAA's decision overturned.