NEWPORT, Ore. — Several members of Oregon's congressional delegation say the Coast Guard has agreed to keep a rescue helicopter at Newport two weeks longer than it had planned — until Dec. 15.

The agency's Newport air station had been scheduled to close Nov. 30 due to budget cuts. Crabbing season is scheduled to start the next day.

Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader say they spoke Tuesday with the Coast Guard commandant and got his assurance that the closure date would be extended to Dec. 15. The congressmen say the Coast Guard agreed that the additional time would allow for a more extensive discussion of the risks to recreational fishing, commercial fishing and other activities on Oregon's central coast.

Coast Guard Lt. Dana Warr in Seattle confirmed the extension.

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