Seattle’s elected leadership, with support from the maritime industry and neighborhood leaders, has forwarded a proposal to the Department of Commerce to retain NOAA’s Marine Operations Center-Pacific in Seattle.

In a letter sent today to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Under Secretary Jane Lubchenco, Mayor Mike McGinn and the Seattle City Council argue that consolidating NOAA’s operations in Seattle at existing federal facilities is the best option for NOAA and the best deal for federal taxpayers.

The proposal is the latest effort of a years-long program, led by the city, to retain the marine center in Seattle, where it has made its home for more than 50 years. Roque Deherrera, the Office of Economic Development’s Business Services Manager, has served as the lead City coordinator of this interdepartmental effort to retain NOAA.

Click here to view the Mayor’s news release.

Click here to view the full letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke.