By Gina Gomez
Washington, Dec.20, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provided necessary documents to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, after she asked the NOAA officials to respond to her queries about their intention to shift the Pacific Marine Operations Center from Seattle to Newport, Oregon. The senator, who heads the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, which looks after NOAA, expressed concern about the agency’s decision to move to Oregon.

Reportedly, the documents were furnished after the senator accused the agency of attempting to hide details about the proposed shift to Newport and the reason for selecting it over Seattle, Port Angeles, and Bellingham. The Washington Democrat, earlier, did not have very kind words to say about the agency given the fact that she has been waiting for the information for the past two months. Moreover, the senator had also expressed her doubts about the decision taken by the agency as it has not shown active interest in the concerns that have been raised. At the same time, Maria Cantwell had also implied that if pertinent details are not revealed immediately, then she would have no options other than holding a Congressional hearing.

Meanwhile, after receiving the documents, the senator expressed that she was looking forward to evaluate the details and at the same time expects that the agency has undertaken a proper selection process. The lease for the new proposed site would be valid for 20 years and NOAA’s decision to move to New Port has been undertaken, as the lease for the present site ends in mid-2011.