Interior Releases $9.5 million in FY16 Infrastructure Funding for American Samoa

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 19, 2016) – Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther Kia’aina today announced the release of more than $9.5 million in grant funding to American Samoa through the Office of Insular Affairs’ (OIA) Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Program. 

“This year’s projects reflect the hard work of Governor Lolo Moliga and his Administration in prioritizing critical infrastructure and maintenance projects in transportation, education, and health for the territory,” said Assistant Secretary Kia’aina.  “I am also especially pleased to help American Samoa advance stable ocean and air transportation between the islands of Tutuila and Manu’a with OIA funds and pending legislation in the U.S. Congress.”

Capital Improvement Project grants awarded this week are as follows:

Tug Boats - $1,750,000 for the overhaul of hull and machinery on two of three tug boats belonging to the Department of Port Administration which serve the Pago Pago Harbor.  The tugboats are vital to serving the long liners, cruise liners and other vessels arriving in the territory.  This project complements prior-year funding for repairs to the shipyard and dry-docking services at Satala and complies with Coast Guard safety recommendations, while also extending life expectancy of the vessels.

Ofu Wharf - $200,000 to design improvements to the Ofu Wharf to properly accommodate the M/V Sili and the new ferry boat that is currently under construction.  The Ofu Wharf is the only wharf that serves both Ofu and Olosega islands and requires improvements to enhance its capacity to service larger vessels; upgrade docking and transferring of essential cargo and vehicles; and provide it with greater sources of electrical power, lighting and water. 

Service Wharf - $40,000 to supplement OIA grant funding that has already been awarded for the construction and rehabilitation of a new service wharf in Pago Pago Harbor. The total cost for this project is $8.8 million.  

Port Drainage Improvements - $40,000 to fix drainage problems at the Pago Pago Port container yard where rain runoff is ponding and greatly affecting stevedoring port operations and facilities.  The improvements will allow for safer port operations and satisfy both U.S. EPA and American Samoa EPA requirements to avoid adverse runoff effects on the coastal environment.

FAA Matching Funds - $350,000 to provide the required local match for federal funding from the Federal Aviation Administration for airport improvements and maintenance.  The FAA awards American Samoa between $9 – 11 million per year for continued improvements to the airports.

School Buses – $600,000 to acquire up to six new school buses to alleviate current overloading; improve scheduling of maintenance; and provide safer transportation for students.

Samoana High School - $1,204,700 for the construction of a new two-story building with ten classrooms, customized band room, and applied tech workshop area. The proposed building will be a concrete structure with a total floor area of 13,300 square feet.

Aua Elementary School - $300,000 for the construction of a pre-fabricated metal building to serve as a covered recreational area and assembly area for students.  The scope of work includes demolition of deteriorated existing “Fale” classroom building and additional perimeter fencing with retaining wall along stream at back of school, landscaping and other related work.  The total square footage of the new building will be 8,352.

Insular ABC’s Initiative - $1,000,000 to implement maintenance and repairs to public schools as established in a Memorandum of Understanding entered into by the Office of Insular Affairs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and American Samoa to address critical structural repairs affecting health and safety. The same amount was awarded last year and is scheduled to be awarded in fiscal year 2017.

LBJ Tropical Medical Center Labor, Delivery, and Operating Room - $1,700,000 for the renovation of the existing Labor, Delivery, and Operating Room Suite to meet health and life safety standards as required by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The total project is estimated to cost $14 million, $7.2 million of which DOI is funding in phases over multiple years through FY2017.

Microfiltration Plant - $250,000 for the purchase of microfiltration equipment for the American Samoa Power Authority to return the plant to full operation.  The proposed water improvements meet three phases identified in the American Samoa CIP Five Year Plan to improve water distribution through fire hydrants; meet the growing demands of the public with additional water resources; and prevent contamination of water source used by the public.

Heavy Equipment - $500,000 for the purchase of a backhoe, two dump trucks, and a sweeper to provide road maintenance by the Department of Public Works.

Disaster Matching Funds - $1,000,000 to the Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management to provide a local match to federal funding received under FEMA’s Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Program.

CIP Administrative Office - $95,050 to support the operations of the CIP Administrative Office.  The CIP office works closely with the Governor, the Local OIA field office, and the American Samoa Departments and Agencies to ensure increased project progress with all awarded projects.

Maintenance Set-Aside - $475,250 for the implementation of a long-term preventative maintenance program for all CIP-funded infrastructure projects in American Samoa.  This meets the required 5% set-aside required for CIP grants to the territory.

The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for coordinating federal policy with respect to the territories of the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and administering and overseeing U.S. federal assistance provided to the freely associated states of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau under the Compacts of Free Association. On behalf of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas executes these responsibilities through the Office of Insular Affairs whose mission is to foster economic opportunities, promote government efficiency, and improve the quality of life for the people of the insular areas.

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