Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that pursuant to the Fono’s interest about the $16 million Congress set aside for village road and related transportation improvements, he has updated the President and Senators, and the Speaker and Representatives, in a letter dated October 18, 2006 which Faleomavaega also copied to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Director of Public Works. 

In his update, Faleomavaega informed the Fono that about $4.4 million has been received and is in place for village road and other transportation improvements.  The money is being held in trust by the Hawaii Division of the Federal Highway Administration until such time as ASG’s Department of Public Works submits proposals for construction to begin. 

“In accordance with Sec. 1934 of PL 109-59, which applies to all States and Territories receiving funds under this section, 10 percent of these funds will be made available in 2005, 20 percent in fiscal year 2006, 25 percent in fiscal year 2007, 25 percent in fiscal year 2008, and 20 percent in fiscal year 2009,” Faleomavaega said. 

“Obligation authority, which also applies to each and every State, may cause these numbers to fluctuate slightly from year to year,” the Congressman continued.  “Obligation authority is a process by which the federal government balances its checkbook or only allows federal agencies to spend what the federal government makes in a given year.  For example, the federal government raises money by taxing its citizens and the amount of money the federal government brings in fluctuates from year to year which may increase or decrease the amount of funding each agency gets.  In turn, this affects how much money is really available for the federal agencies to carry on the projects that Congress has authorized.” 

“So far,” Faleomavaega said, “Congress has appropriated $4.8 million of the $16 million set aside for our village roads.  About $4.4 million of this has been obligated or received by the Hawaii Division of the Federal Highway Administration which holds these funds in trust until such time as ASG’s Department of Public Works submits a proposal to begin work on our projects.”

“In accordance with percentage allocations described above and although these numbers may fluctuate slightly according to the obligation authority set forth by the federal government, the Hawaii Division of the Federal Highway Administration has already received approximately:

• $900,000 of the $3 million appropriated for Central District village road improvements
• $900,000 of the $3 million appropriated for Western District village road improvements
• $780,000 of the $2.6 million appropriated for Eastern District village road improvements
• $420,000 of the $1.4 million appropriated for Manu’a District village road improvements
• $300,000 of the $1 million appropriated for shoreline protection and drainage mitigation for Aua village roads 
• $420,000 of the $1.4 million appropriated for drainage mitigation for Malaeloa-Leone village roads
• $300,000 of the $1 million appropriated for shoreline protection and drainage mitigation for Nuuuli village roads
• $300,000 of the $1 million appropriated for drainage mitigation for Pago Pago village roads
• $480,000 of the $1.6 million appropriated for Ta’u harbor renovations

 “While ASG’s Department of Public Works cannot use these funds for any other purpose, the Department of Public Works can determine when these funds will be spent between now and 2009.  Again,” Faleomavaega said, “no funds will be released until such time as ASG’s Department of Public Works submits a proposal for work to begin on these projects.”

“Since Congress has set-aside $3 million for village road improvements in the Central District, $3 million for the Western District, $2.6 million for the Eastern District, and $1.4 million for the Manu’a District, it would be most appropriate for the Fono to holds hearings and call upon the Director of Public Works to explain how these funds will be utilized and which village roads will be given priority in each district,” the Congressman continued.  “It would also be appropriate for the Fono to be actively involved in the development of any proposals which the Department of Public Works may submit to the Hawaii Division of the Federal Highway Administration regarding these funds.”

Regarding the smaller projects which have also been earmarked by Congress which include $1 million for Aua, $1.4 million for Malaeloa-Leone, $1 million for Nuuuli, $1 million for Pago Pago, and $1.6 million for Tau harbor renovations, Faleomavaega also encouraged the Senators and Representatives from these districts to be actively engaged in the development of any proposals the Department of Public Works may put forward.

“Again, it is safe to say that roughly $4.4 million of our funds are in place and ready for use and I am hopeful that as a result of the Fono’s direct involvement projects will get underway soon.  As always, I appreciate the Fono’s support and I am pleased that together we were able to secure these funds for village road and harbor improvements in American Samoa,” Faleomavaega concluded.}