The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing funding through the national coastal zone management program to the territory of american samoa to help administer the…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $1.108 million to the American Samoa Government Department of Commerce through the Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards program (CFDA 11.419) effective October 1, 2025, through March 31, 2027. This cooperative agreement provides ongoing operational funding to support the administration of American Samoa's federally approved Coastal Zone Management Program, enabling the territory to develop and implement science-based coastal protection and economic development initiatives that balance resource conservation with responsible growth.

Under this award, the American Samoa Coastal Zone Management Division will deliver comprehensive coastal management services addressing priority issues including coastal hazards mitigation, habitat protection, water quality improvement, and coastal community development. Specific deliverables include wetland delineation mapping and associated educational materials to enhance community awareness of wetland value; integration of coastal hazard considerations into the territorial land-use permitting process to address sea level rise, wave inundation, and storm surge risks; evaluation of nature-based solutions for sustainable coastal hazard mitigation; and ongoing technical assistance for coastal permitting, planning, and public outreach to American Samoa's coastal communities. These activities support job creation and strengthen community resilience across the territory's coastal areas.

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing funding through the national coastal zone management program to the territory of american samoa to help administer the territory's federally approved coastal management program. \ the national coastal zone management program, under the coastal zone management act, is an important voluntary federal-state partnership that protects, restores, and responsibly develops our nation's coastal communities and resources by balancing economic development, coastal uses, and natural resource protection. NOAA is investing $1,108,000 to these efforts and actions in american samoa. These funds will support jobs and provide continued assistance to the american samoa coastal management program to address many important coastal issues in the territory including coastal hazards, habitat protection, water quality, and coastal community development. For example, one project will delineate several of the territorys wetlands and use that information to create educational materials and activities to increase community awareness on the importance and value of those wetlands. Another ongoing effort incorporates coastal hazard considerations into the existing territorial land-use permitting process to ensure sea level rise, wave inundation, and storm surge threats are considered in planning activities. As part of this effort, nature-based solutions continue to be considered for sustainable coastal hazard mitigation efforts. Funding also supports ongoing coastal permitting, planning, public outreach, and assistance to coastal communities of american samoa.