Oregon Sues Federal Government to Return Lifesaving Coast Guard Helicopter to Newport
After the Trump Administration’s withdrawal of a proposal to lease the Newport Municipal Airport, potentially as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, the Coast Guard’s Newport helicopter, removed by the federal government, has yet to be returned, putting fishermen at risk. A lawsuit has been filed for the return of the chopper.
ODOF Launches Lawsuit For Return Of Newport Coast Guard Helicopter
After Newport officials, U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Van Hoyle investigated rumors of a potential ICE facility at the Newport Municipal Airport. Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan announced that the letter of intent to lease the airport was withdrawn. But the search-and-rescue chopper, stationed in Newport since the mid-1980s, was removed by the federal government and has yet to return to the city.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said, “This helicopter isn’t a luxury—it’s a critical part of how we keep people alive on the Oregon Coast.”
AG Rayfield announced yesterday that the State of Oregon, Lincoln County, and the Newport Fishermen’s Wives organization are filing lawsuits to compel the federal government to return the Coast Guard helicopter abruptly removed from the Newport Air Facility. Both lawsuits will be adjudicated in the federal district court in the District of Oregon, in Eugene.
The Newport-based helicopter, now nearly 100 miles away, has been a lifeline for coastal residents, fishermen, and visitors for about 4 decades.
The aircraft was removed overnight, without public notice, community consultation, or the risk assessments required under federal law, to North Bend, leaving one of the most dangerous stretches of the Pacific Coast without timely aerial rescue coverage.
Especially with crab season opening on December 16th, Oregon’s cold waters make rapid helicopter response a matter of life and death. Lincoln County Commissioner Walter Chuck confirmed that the loss of the helicopter at the Newport USCG Air Facility will significantly impact the safety of Commercial and Recreational fishermen, coastal residents, visitors, inland forest workers, and recreationalists.
AG Rayfield said, “We’re taking action because every minute matters in a coastal emergency.”
The Oregon Department of Justice will argue that the removal of the helicopter violates federal statutory requirements and standards requiring public notice, community input, and formal risk assessments before the Coast Guard can downgrade or relocate an air station or essential rescue asset.
The statutory processes were not followed. The Coast Guard also attempted a similar closure in 2014, but Congress ultimately prevented the closure after the Newport Fishermen’s Wives and local leaders challenged the Coast Guard’s decision in federal court.