Aumua Announces $866,000 EPA Grant for American Samoa

Washington, D.C. –Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata was pleased to announce that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the American Samoa EPA a grant in the amount of $866,000 for local environmental sustainability and rehabilitation projects.

U.S. EPA Acting Regional Director Alexis Strauss stated, "The American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency has been a great partner in environmental protection. We are pleased to support its programs committed to achieving a better environment for all the residents of American Samoa."

The funding will be used to support air, water, and land inspections; monitor the safety of beaches and drinking water; clean up contaminated sites; inspect fuel storage tanks; improve piggery compliance; protect coral reefs; and respond to emergencies.

"I want to thank American Samoa EPA Director Ameko Pato for his dedicated work in obtaining theses important funds for our island. I would also like to thank the staff at the U.S. EPA including Acting Director Strauss for all that they do in the Pacific and recognizing the need for this funding here in American Samoa. I appreciate the close relationship between the U.S. EPA and the AS EPA, and all the great work that these two agencies have accomplished together," concluded Amata.

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