Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon officials are scoffing at the latest attempt to block NOAA from moving its Marine Operations Center to Newport. One of Newport's rivals, the Port of Bellingham has filed a protest aimed at halting the change. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

Several Northwest ports were in the running for the long-term contract with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

It's viewed as a financial boon for any local community.

Earlier this month NOAA announced the winner was Newport, Oregon.

Now, the Port of Bellingham has filed a protest claiming the new home of the Marine Operations Center is on a floodplain, which violates a 30-year-old federal rule. But Port of Newport general manager Don Mann says that's baloney.

Don Mann: “I don't know where they're getting their information, but if we were not in compliance with this requirement regarding the flood plain, we would have sure heard about it before now.”

A spokesman for NOAA says the protest is under review but it would be premature to speculate about the outcome.

The Congressional Government Accountability Office has about three months to rule on the protest.

Online:

NOAA Marine Operations Center