Amata Welcomes $4.8 Million in LWCF Grants for Four Projects
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming congressional notice from the National Park Service of federal grant funding totaling $4.8 million ($4,782,160.96) from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for four projects in American Samoa.
“Congratulations to American Samoa Government and our Department of Parks and Recreation for these substantial federal funds, and thank you to everyone in the Department involved in the local work to qualify for and fulfill these grants,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Thank you to the National Park Service for this focus on supporting American Samoa’s parks and recreational facilities.”
Congresswoman Amata received notices of the following four grants, and their described projects:
$3,285,886 for Onesosopo Park Football Field. The project entails a new football field to serve the east side of the territory, to include restrooms, locker rooms, bleachers, a snack bar, and an observation booth.
$712,030 for Lions Park Multi Courts to include netball, pickleball, and beach volleyball to promote physical activity, fitness and health in one of the territory’s most-used park sites.
$500,000 for Vaitogi Park Recreation and Picnic Area, to include eight traditional fale providing shade and shelter for picnics and gatherings.
$284,244.96 LWCF Administrative Grants for implementation of the LWCF program, including grant applications and projects, site inspections, travel and trainings, vehicle, signs and supplies.
On August 4, 2020, the landmark Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law, which Amata supported in the Natural Resources Committee, and now supplies $900 million annually for LWCF. Amata has also supported the program’s congressional reauthorization.
The LWCF was established by Congress in 1964 to fulfill a bipartisan commitment to safeguard natural areas, water resources, and cultural heritage, and to provide recreational opportunities, while strengthening communities, preserving history, and protecting the national resource of lands and waters. This flagship conservation program is funded by royalty payments from offshore oil and gas drilling in federal waters, putting that financial support back into conservation.
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