Koror, PALAU — The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor on Monday announced $2,624,848 in grant awards under the Office of Insular Affairs’ (OIA) Coral Reef and Natural Resources (CRNR) Initiative to protect natural resources and biodiversity in the Insular Areas.

While in the Republic of Palau for Palau’s 30th anniversary of independence Asst. Secretary Cantor presented a check for $314,086 in CRNR funding to Palau. They will their funding award to develop its System of Natural Accounts in connection with the United Nations System of Environment-Economic Accounting program to compile and assess the conditions and statistical value of natural resources such as mangrove, seagrass, and corals.

“It is fitting to commemorate Palau’s 30th anniversary of independence with a grant that emphasizes Palau’s strong reputation as the protector of natural resources for its people,” said Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor. “Palau has been a regional leader in demonstrating that a clean and healthy environment is inextricably linked to the health and economic interests of its local communities. These grant funds will help Palau organize data on its environment and natural resources and support economic decision-making that considers these important assets.”  

The complete list of awards for CRNR funding in FY 2024, totals $2,624,848 and is to be distributed across the Insular Areas as follows:   

AMERICAN SAMOA - $245,000

 ••           Funds will support the American Samoa Biodiversity Office in efforts to manage invasive bird populations in Tutuila’s northern, mountainous villages and to mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity in the territory.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS (CNMI) - $948,281

• •           $325,929 will support the Department of Lands and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) efforts to mitigate the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) on Rota;
• •           $286,837 will support the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality’ Coral Reef Initiative program and related projects;
• •           $171,335 will support the DLNR’s efforts to mitigate the harmful impacts of the Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens) on communities in Saipan; and

• •           $164,180 will also support the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance Tasi-Watch program which supports terrestrial and marine conservation projects such as mono-filament debris collection, coral nursery restoration, typhoon cleanup, native tree restoration, and combatting the invasive Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci).

GUAM - $293,511

• •           Funds will support the Guam Department of Agriculture’s FY2024 Coral Reef Initiative for management, coordination, education, outreach, research, and regional coordination related to the protection of coral reef natural resources.

REPUBLIC OF PALAU - $314,086

• •           Funds will support development of Palau’s System of Natural Accounts in connection with the United Nations System of Environment-Economic Accounting program to compile and assess conditions of natural resources such as mangrove, seagrass, and corals.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (USVI) - $599,970

• •           $300,000 in funds will support the Division of Coastal Zone Management in managing coral disturbance response in the territory; and
• •           $299,970 in funds will also support the Center for Watershed Protection, Inc. in efforts to develop nature-based solutions to restore the Salt River Bay Watershed in St. Croix.

NATIONAL CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM - $224,000

• •           Funds will be awarded to Nova Southeastern University to include Coral Reef fellows for the territories of American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam, and the USVI in the National Coral Reef Management Fellowship program, which is funded by NOAA, but currently excludes the territories.

Discretionary funding for the Insular Areas is made available every year through a competitive grant application process that opens for applications each year in October on Grants.gov under Assistance Listing number 15.875 (formerly CFDA#).