NOAA’s lease with the Port of Newport for the property occupied by the NOAA Marine Operations Center - Pacific ends in 2031. As part of the routine process before a NOAA lease expires, the agency has started to evaluate current and future facility needs of NOAA’s Pacific ship fleet. This is a routine, multi-year process. No decisions regarding the facility's location beyond 2031 have been made.
On May 15, NOAA posted a Request for Information to gather input on potential locations. The deadline to submit that information is June 15, 2026.
State and local government entities who are interested in being considered and may be able to meet the requirements should email Christian Townsend.
How will NOAA decide the best location?
Between June 2021 and July 2023, NOAA conducted a business case analysis to assess viable options on federal properties throughout the West Coast that would best meet our needs. This analysis is part of the routine process that NOAA follows as leases near expiration or mission requirements undergo significant change. That analysis did not produce a conclusive result, so NOAA is broadening the scope of viable properties to include those owned by state and local governments. Once we have all this information, NOAA leadership will review it and chart a path forward.
What are the requirements for the location?
Any location for Marine Operations Center - Pacific would need to meet certain operational and federal requirements. For example, the location would need to have compatible land use requirements, be adjacent to waters deep enough to support NOAA’s current and future fleet, and be able to either have or support one or more piers for ship berthing. The location would also need to meet Department of Commerce security requirements, need to be able to support shoreside operations (offices, parking, warehouse, etc.), and be located near an airport with consistent and regular service. A full list of requirements can be found here.
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