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Hazard mitigation council seeks projects for funding

Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Territorial Hazard Mitigation Council has put out a public call for all interested parties to submit proposals for Hazard Mitigation Projects. The call was made in a May 12th public letter from the council’s chairman, Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale, who is the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR).

Since the governor’s appointment of the council late last month, several members of the community have sought information on when and how the council will deal with proposed projects to be funded through federal hazard mitigation monies as well as specific requirements for proposals.

According to the public letter, to all ASG agencies and eligible non-profit agencies, Hazard Mitigation projects must be designed to protect homes, businesses, public facilities, or infrastructure from future disasters. Projects must reduce the loss of life and property due to disasters.

Projects chosen could be eligible for funding from various FEMA grant programs such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), or any Supplemental Assistance such as Unmet Needs. Projects may also be eligible for additional funding sources that are identified and leveraged to support implementation of the Territory Hazard Mitigation Plan.

It also says that eligible projects that are approved by the Hazard Mitigation Council will be added to the revised Territory Hazard Mitigation Plan update for 2020.

Deadline for the submission of proposals is June 2nd to Lima Fiatoa, Hazard Mitigation Officer at the ASG Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management (ODAPM) — 699-1329/1330.

BACKGROUND

Through an Apr. 20th memorandum, the governor established the 13-member Council, which is to assist the Territorial Emergency Management Coordination Office (TEMCO) in fulfilling its responsibilities outlined in local law.

Among the responsibilities of the Council, is assisting the American Samoa Government in identifying hazard mitigation issues and opportunities facing the territory for development of a comprehensive hazard mitigation strategy. (See Samoa News edition Apr. 28th for details.)