Interior Funds Atmospheric and Wave Forecasting Program for U.S. Territories in Pacific

WASHINGTON – Doug Domenech, U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary - Insular and International Affairs, this week provided a $497,738 grant to the University of Hawaii Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research School of Ocean and Earth Science for a project to improve atmospheric and wave-forecasting through the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System.

“Protecting people and the border is a shared priority between Secretary Zinke and myself,” said Assistant Secretary Domenech,” which includes protection from atmospheric hazards and storms for those who live in vulnerable island areas,” continued Domenech.  “Recent experiences with Tropical Cyclone Gita and Typhoon Saudelor in the Pacific and Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean remind us of the ongoing vulnerability islands and their inhabitants face during extreme weather.”

The funds will help improve data collection about rainfall; change in typhoon patterns; availability of fresh water; and flooding and wave action from severe weather events, including high winds for American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.   In addition to collaborating closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service forecasting offices, the project will also respond to the needs of local, regional, and federal government agencies; emergency responders; scientists; resource managers; planners; various academic pursuits; professional consultants; marine engineers; marine operators; ocean users such as fishermen and surfers; and the general public.

All U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands served by the PacIOOS include the State of Hawaiʻi; the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and the freely associated states of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

Funding for this program is provided through the Office of Insular Affairs’ Technical Assistance Program.   

The Assistant Secretary - Insular and International Affairs - and the Office of Insular Affairs carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees Federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. OIA supports the Secretary's mission of Fulfilling Trust and Insular Responsibilities through balancing efforts and limited resources towards stronger economic and health capacities, and fiscal accountability in the U.S. insular areas.