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The Perfect Homeport for NOAA
August 03, 2009
Peninsula Daily News
305 West First Street
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Letter to the Editor:
Port Angeles – the Perfect Homeport for NOAA’s
Marine Operations Center-Pacific
This letter was prepared by the Port of Port Angeles Commission and supported by its funding partners in the proposal to relocate NOAA facilities to Port Angeles including the City of Port Angeles and Clallam County.
Port Angeles represents the premiere location for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Operations Center – Pacific for many reasons. “We feel that the advantages outlined in our NOAA proposal are compelling and highly competitive” stated Port of Port Angeles President John Calhoun. For instance, Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty noted that Port Angeles’s proposal “saves NOAA steaming time to get to and from their research areas”.
“Utilizing Port Angeles Harbor as NOAA’s Pacific Northwest homeport is a natural — as historic U.S. Navy usage of our natural harbor and as a current homeport for several U.S. Coast Guard ships attest,” says Port of Port Angeles Commissioner Jim McEntire. “Port Angeles is close to everything NOAA needs to operate its ships — marine trades, fuel, good schools, good housing, recreation, good scientists and, most importantly, the Pacific Ocean.”
Commissioner Calhoun points out that the Port has a number of strategic advantages over the other contenders. Calhoun stated: “Port Angeles has close, easy and fast access to the Pacific Ocean and features a deep-water, protected harbor with land for shore support and good proximity to regional destinations such as Olympic National Park and NOAA’s Marine Sanctuary off the Peninsula’s west coast. From a facilities standpoint, the Port offers shore-side utilities, deep-water piers and an international airport with customs processing. There is a broad range of marine services close at hand and significant scientific support as well. These include the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Marine Sciences Laboratory, Peninsula College and its resources and affiliations, and the University of Washington Olympic Natural Resources Center”.
City of Port Angeles Councilperson Karen Rogers commented: “We have a magnificent natural setting coupled with small town ambiance and big city advantages to compete in the global community. From cultural events and attractions and proximity to urban centers like Victoria, B.C.; state of the art healthcare; and a safe community - we have it all. NOAA employees will especially appreciate that their commuting time in Port Angeles will be just a few minutes. The perfect fit and perfect balance for true quality of life – we welcome NOAA to Port Angeles as their new 'homeport'.”
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