PORT ANGELES — In its pitch to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Port of Port Angeles says the deepwater harbor and the community on its shores would be ideal for a new NOAA operating base.
In a 3-inch binder stuffed with pages of information, maps and statistics on the North Olympic Peninsula, the proposal outlines how NOAA would fit into the Port Angeles area.
The proposal cites the distance to Seattle — 78 miles — and to the Pacific Ocean — 64 miles — as the “perfect balance.”
NOAA is looking to move its fleet from Seattle’s Lake Union, when its lease runs out in 2011, to a location in Puget Sound or the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
In addition to Port Angeles, the ports of Bellingham, Seattle and Newport, Ore., are campaigning to win the NOAA base.
Ocean, air research
The agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce researches the condition of oceans and the atmosphere.
“Port Angeles can serve as the ideal site to support these critical services,” a letter signed by 19 Port Angeles leaders says in the proposal passed on to the federal agency.
“Port Angeles has long served as an oceanic point of access for government, institutional, commercial, and private entities . . .
“We enjoy a unique combination of access to some of the nation’s most distinctive marine life, natural beauty and current technology to serve a diverse set of interests.”
The Port of Port Angeles proposal includes expanding Terminal 3 by about 1,000 feet to accommodate six ships, as well as a pier for smaller vessels.
180 jobs to town
Relocating the vessels — which conduct research on climate change, ecosystems, the health of fisheries and hydrographic surveying — would bring about 180 jobs to Port Angeles, port officials have said.
NOAA would require an administration building, laboratory and a warehouse for equipment storage.
Consultant Reid Middleton Inc. of Everett was contracted to compile the proposal.
Reid Middleton is being paid $129,000, with the city paying $50,000, Clallam County paying $25,000 and the port — which was named the lead agency — paying $54,000.
Port of Port Angeles Executive Director Bob McChesney hand-delivered the proposal to Washington, D.C., and said he hoped to keep the in-person touch throughout the wooing process.
The port’s proposal included a small bound book which gave a quick list of why Port Angeles would fit the needs of NOAA.
“Perfect balance between field research and your research center,” the booklet proclaimed.
Among the features Port Angeles touts:
•SEnS65-mile proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
•SEnSWilliam R. Fairchild International Airport is nearby for commuting opportunities for visiting researchers.
• The Port Angeles Customs office allows international researchers to quickly and easily enter the country.
• Lodging availability near the proposed site.
• Fiber-optic system infrastructure already in place.
• Port-owned industrial equipment, such as cranes, which could be used for NOAA’s needs.
• Recreational marinas — including Port Angeles Boat Haven and John Wayne Marina in Sequim — available for employees’ downtime.
• Peninsula College in Port Angeles and Peninsula Northwest National Laboratory Marine Sciences Laboratory on Sequim Bay with both lab space and employees who can assist with research.
If Port Angeles is picked, building construction would be finished in late 2011 for a lease beginning in February or March 2012, the port’s proposal states.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
