American samoa coastal management program (ascmp)capacity-building project description the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $900,000 in federal funding to american…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) awarded a $900,000 Cooperative Agreement to the American Samoa Government Department of Commerce for the American Samoa Coastal Management Program (ASCMP) Capacity-Building Project. This 3-year award, running from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027, will build the capacity of American Samoa's coastal management program to plan for and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects related to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Key activities include developing staff training opportunities, purchasing equipment and supplies for outreach, conducting wetland monitoring, and supporting a Living Shoreline feasibility study. The funding will also sustain personnel costs for a Habitat Restoration Project Coordinator and Wetland Assistant to collaborate on developing proposals for wetland conservation and restoration projects.

American samoa coastal management program (ascmp)capacity-building project description the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $900,000 in federal funding to american samoa coastal management program (ascmp) through the bipartisan infrastructure law. This funding will build the capacity of the territorys federally-approved coastal management program within the american samoa department of commerce to plan for and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects proposed through funding opportunities connected to the bipartisan infrastructure law. The goal is to help equip and provide the local staff with the knowledge and expertise to help manage amsamoas coastal resources in the next 3 years onward. Specifically, ascmp will use these funds to develop capacity building opportunities for the staff involved in coastal zone management programs, purchase equipment and supplies for outreach, conduct monitoring efforts for the wetland, and planned projects (living shoreline, watershed clean-up, etc.) these funds will also be used to sustain and extend the personnel costs and positions for the habitat restoration project coordinator and wetland assistance. These positions will support coastal zone efforts collaboratively to develop conservation and restoration project proposals for wetlands to align with the bipartisan infrastructure law funding advice. In addition, the award will be used to implement a feasibility study for a living shoreline project, support training for staff capacity building and conduct monitoring, outreach and conservation efforts of wetlands and watersheds and support the adopt a stream clean-up efforts. The ascmp will engage and collaborate with local church groups, village groups and high schools in conducting clean-UPS, monitoring and restoration efforts of identified coastal zone areas in american samoa. .