Late in 2007, 
the Port formally submitted the Bellingham Shipping Terminal in The Watefront District for consideration in NOAA's relocation analysis. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is considering relocating its Pacific Research Fleet from Lake Union in Seattle, where its lease expires in 2011. Bellingham is one of 20 ports the NOAA's relocation consultants contacted.
The list of potential sites is expected to be narrowed by May 2008, when three to five locations will undergo additional analysis. The Port anticipates a site decision by fall 2008. If NOAA does come to Bellingham, it would bring: six ocean-going ships, 18 smaller vessels, 78 permanent employees, and 178 research ship crews.
Several local marine businesses already build and repair ships for NOAA, but it is likely that many more local businesses would provide support for the NOAA fleet. Also, Western Washington University has many professors conducting NOAA research, which would likely expand.
In September 2007, the Port launched a community-based 'Get NOAA' Campaign in a meeting with community leaders in the business, environmental, education and government sectors. These people came together to learn about the Get NOAA effort and to begin making plans to demonstrate community support for the fleet relocation.
Homeporting the NOAA's Pacific Marine Operations Center has been a community goal since the Waterfront Futures Group planning effort in 2003-04. Since then, the Port has been meeting with regional and national NOAA officials and Congressional leaders to promote the relocation of this fleet of ships from Lake Union in Seattle to the deep-water terminal in Bellingham. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen is supporting Bellingham as the best location. Another option, in Everett, also is in Larsen's congressional district.
