Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa is set to receive financial support from the U.S. government for ferry services, parks and recreational areas, and coral reef conservation, according to three press releases issued from the D.C. office of Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata. 

GRANT FOR FERRY SERVICES

First is a major $21.25 million federal grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to purchase two new Ferry Boat Vessels serving Tutuila to Manu’a, under the authorization of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supported by Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata in the U.S. Congress.

“Congratulations to the American Samoa Department of Public Works, who applied effectively for this large grant,” Congresswoman Amata said.

The American Samoa Department of Public Works proposed the replacement and expansion of the island to island passenger ferry boat service. The purchase would be two ferry boat vessels replacing the out of service MV Sili, out of commission since 2018, and increasing the capacity and reliability of the program. Currently, only the MV Manuatele makes the 50 mile transport route, and must carry both passengers and cargo.

Under the proposal, the two new vessels would be the same type with specifications including 100-130 feet in length, a capacity of 75-95 passengers, cruising speed of 12 knots with a maximum of 15-20 knots. These lower emission vessels would reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The proposal notes the ferry vessels can be part of strengthening education, business, job, and tourism opportunities that require reliability and frequency of transportation, reducing disadvantages to Manu’a from unpredictable access to medical, economic, educational, and other key facilities, improving the connection to communities and more equitable access to Manu’a residents.

This federal grant, under the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program, announced by the FTA in conjunction with other grants nationwide, requires a territory match of $3.75 million. It is one of 13 grants totaling $220 million to eight states and American Samoa.

“For many communities around the U.S., ferries are an important way to access jobs, medical care, and vital goods and services—like in communities I visited this summer in Alaska, Wisconsin, and Washington state,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With these grants, from President Biden's Investing in America agenda, we will be able to connect more people to the opportunities and resources they need to thrive even when their main route is a waterway rather a road.”

“Today's announcement represents our continued record support under the Biden-Harris Administration for passenger ferry service,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “The grants help transit agencies make investments to increase reliability, improve connections to other modes of transportation, and bring older ferry systems into a state of good repair.”

“Thank you especially to Director Faleosina Voigt and the team, as they did a great job making the case to the FTA for this important project that can benefit our people for years to come,” the Congresswoman said. “Safe, reliable transportation will always be a necessary investment in an island territory, where we respect the power of the ocean. Thank you to the FTA and DOT for recognizing this safety and reliability priority for American Samoa and supporting this project. Congratulations to Governor Lemanu Peleti S. Mauga and Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Va'alele Ale as they lead this effort.”

BIPARTISAN EXPLORE ACT

 “I’m delighted to be an original cosponsor of the bipartisan EXPLORE Act that I will also support in the Natural Resources Committee,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Not only will this bill strengthen parks and recreational areas all over the nation, which our people and our Veterans visit along with much of the American public, but we also have a beautiful National Park of American Samoa and outdoor activities for our youth right here, and all of these efforts can look to future support in this bill.”

The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, is a newly introduced comprehensive legislative package, already with strong bipartisan and bicameral support, to improve access and transform outdoor recreation opportunities on America’s public lands.

Led by Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the legislative effort was unveiled in a press conference Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol, previewing a Subcommittee on Federal Lands legislative hearing yesterday, Thursday, Nov. 30.

Nationally, the legislation will:

• •           Improve public land access for sportsmen and women;
• •           Modernize technology to improve visitor experiences, like increasing broadband connectivity and creating digital passes;
• •           Streamline the permitting process and reduce fees for small businesses that depend on public land access;
• •           Protect rock climbing in iconic places and create new long-distance bike trails
• •           Restore campgrounds and modernize infrastructure;
• •           Support gateway communities by addressing housing shortages and outdated infrastructure;
• •           Improve accessibility for military service members, veterans, individuals with disabilities and kids.

The nationwide outdoor recreation economy creates $1.1 trillion in economic output, 2.2 percent of the U.S. GDP, and supports five million jobs.

CORAL REEF CONSERVATION GRANT

A grant of $250,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) will support subsistence fisheries and protect at risk coral species, and Congresswoman Anata is congratulating the DMWR for the successful grant application funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

These federal funds will be used to form and train a local watershed assessment team, assess watersheds and coral reefs, and establish baselines and develop restoration plans together with the village councils.

The NOAA project will build capacity to restore two watersheds, enhance survivorship of the threatened coral species Isopora crateriformis, and support subsistence fisheries in economically challenged indigenous Samoan communities.

 Dr. Rick Spinrad, NOAA administrator said, “Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help bolster community resilience efforts and meet the demand we’re seeing for projects that address coastal hazards and enhance ecosystems that are important for wildlife, communities and the coastal economy.”

Congratulations to the Department, Director Taotasi Archie Soliai, and everyone who will take part in these assessments and work with these villages,” said Congresswoman Amata. “We are truly blessed with beautiful islands. Thank you to NOAA Administrator Dr. Richard Spinrad for this federal support, and especially for understanding the need to work with our villages because our island subsistence fishing traditions are part of our way.”