“This is a fairly new program that only started last year,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “Congress recognized the importance of maintaining quality water at public beaches and other recreational waters and passed the Beach Act two years ago. The Act authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants to eligible states, tribes and territories to better monitor the quality of water at our beaches and notify the public when there may be a problem.”
 
     “This is a non-competitive grant and it does not require matching funds,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “During fiscal year 2001, the first year the program started, American Samoa received $58,700.  For FY2002, American Samoa is slated to get over $302,000 from the $10 million that Congress appropriated for the program nationally.  Out of 35 states, American Samoa is slated to receive one of the largest allocations.  The grants range from $150,000 to $530,000 and at more than $302,000 American Samoa will receive more funding than 23 other states.”

     “I trust that the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency will submit an application for funding so that our territory can more fully develop and maintain a beach monitoring program to protect public health,” Congressman Faleomavaega concluded.