Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Senator Murray today applauded full funding of the construction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Mukilteo Research Station. Larsen received a letter from the Commerce Department confirming the funding following his letters of support to NOAA and appropriators to fully fund construction of the Mukilteo Research Station.

“As Northwest Washington and the nation work to take on the emerging challenges from climate change, our efforts must be evidence-based and environmentally-sound. Ensuring the nation’s scientists have access to state-of-the-art, well-equipped facilities will help position us to meet these challenges successfully,” said Larsen. “The Mukilteo Research Station supports regional commercial and recreational fishing industries, including 167,000 maritime jobs, and makes critical investment in the nation’s capacity to advance cutting-edge research on marine wildlife and their habitat as well as ocean acidification.”

“I’m so proud that as a result of these new federal investments, the Mukilteo Research Station will be able to continue improving our understanding of how to rebuild marine ecosystems and protect water quality throughout our state and our country—all while creating jobs and reconnecting the community to the Mukilteo waterfront,” said Senator Murray.

Federal investment in the Mukilteo waterfront will also restore public access to the community’s beautiful waterfront.

The Pacific Northwest is a leader in environmental conservation, and for decades the Mukilteo Research Station has been at the forefront of innovative multidisciplinary research on marine ecosystem recovery and pollution mitigation. Among their efforts, researchers at the MRS conduct studies on compromised water quality and fish habitat health and restoration, which serve as the foundation for the recovery of the iconic and endangered Pacific salmon.

In Fiscal Year 2017, Congress appropriated $4.5 million for the design and initial site work. Through Fiscal Year 2019, Congress has appropriated $35.5 million for the completion of the project. Following Larsen’s March 19 letter, NOAA directed the remaining $4.5 million to complete the funding for the $40 million facility.

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