American Samoa has been awarded more than $300,000, which is part of a national $32.6 million fiscal year 2017 Historical Preservation Fund appropriations to states, tribes and territories.

This was announced earlier this week in Washington D.C. by US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.

According to the fund’s distribution list, American Samoa is setting $366,777, while Guam is awarded $369.944 and the Northern Mariana Islands with $370,366. Also to receive funds are the US freely associates states in the Pacific.

The American Samoa Historical Preservation Office, which is part of the Governor’s Office, administers the grant funds locally.

"Fees collected from drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf help fund important conservation tools like these grants," Zinke said in a national news release, adding that USDOI and the National Park Service are committed to preserving U.S. and tribal history and heritage.

“Through valuable partnerships we are able to assist communities and tribes in ensuring the diverse historic places, culture and traditions that make our country unique are protected for future generations,” he said.

Administered by the National Park Service on behalf of the Secretary, these funds are a part of annual appropriations from the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), which fund preservation programs at state historic preservation offices and ensure support of local preservation with a required 10 percent pass through to Certified Local Governments via competitive sub grants.