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UPDATE:

USCG claims that helo closure was just a "proposal" and

files motion to dismiss lawsuit. NFW respond here: 

This first round was just the beginning of the fight! With this temporary stay of the helo, we can now work on changing the CG national standards as they don't apply to us here in the PNW. We appreciate your continued support as we still have a long fight ahead!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we originally campaigned for the CG helicopter station in Newport back in 1986, the CG told us then that they had faster helos and that they had a standard... nationwide for where they base helicopters - about 400 miles apart. Clearly the standard didn't work then and it sure as heck doesn't work now. Our waters are too cold to justify the consolidation. It took an Act of Congress back then and probably will now to keep our helo station. Let your congressional delegation know where you stand. Call them. Newport is the main hub for all fishing and marine research activities in this state. The fleet has experienced tremendous growth over the years including large numbers of recreational vessels venturing further and further offshore. People from all over the state and elsewhere travel to Newport to go fishing. Recreational season openers create backups clear to the bridge of people waiting to launch. Add to that the growth in marine research vessels with the NOAA homeport so that no matter how you look at it, closing the air station cannot be justified under any rational scenario. I don't think the CG in DC even knows what's going on here - the closure date coincides with the opening of crab season - the most dangerous time of the year. This closure would severely jeopardize the safety of fishermen and marine researchers from all over Oregon and the PNW. The CG decision making process is badly flawed and would leave us in a "perfect storm" of compromised marine safety. Unbelievable.

 

Ginny Goblirsch, Otter Rock

 

 

 

Want to help save Newport's rescue helicopter? Write to:

Adm Paul Zukunft
Commandant (CG-00)
US Coast Guard Headquarters...
2100 2nd St. SW STOP 7000
Washington DC 20593-7000

 

Senators Wyden and Merkley, and Representative Schrader are with our community on this, but they can’t do their job without our help. They need our calls, they need our letters. Please take a minute, and I do mean a minute, to contact each of them.

 

Contact Ron Wyden:
tel (202) 224-5244
fax (202) 228-2717

 

Contact Jeff Merkley
Phone: (202) 224-3753
Fax: (202) 228-3997

 

Contact Kurt Schrader
Phone: (202) 225-5711
Fax: (202) 225-5699

 

 

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