Congressman Faleomavaega Eni has submitted to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure $27 million worth of “high priority projects” for American Samoa for funding under the federal surface transportation authorization act.

The funding and the projects are to be administered by the Department of Public Works, according to copies of the Congressman’s May 14 transmittal letters to the committee chaired by U.S. Rep. James L. Oberstar.

The largest submission request seeks $18 million for harbor work in American Samoa with $10 million for design and construction of a commercial harbor at Leone village; $5 million for design and construction of harbor facilities at Aunu’u and Auasi; and $3 million for Ta’u, Faleasao and Ofu harbor improvements.

There have been continued calls for the redevelopment of a harbor in Leone to take the congestion out of the downtown area, especially when the MV Lady Naomi from Samoa is in town.

During this year’s Flag Day celebration, Satitoa village from Samoa during their song called for the establishment of a wharf in Satitoa and one in Leone to make easy travel between Tutuila and Upolu islands. Leone had a wharf many years ago.

Faleomavaega also requested $3 million each for the Western, Central, Eastern, and Manu’a districts for design, construction, drainage improvement and mitigation, shoreline protection, embankment stabilization of landslide sites and installation of guardrails at hazardous areas for village roads.

Faleomavaega’s requests become public because of new rules for the 111th Congress in which members filed a financial disclosure — which are then made public — regarding the congressional member and spouse and their interest in the congressional earmark.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on May 18 published in the Federal Register a notice of funding availability and solicitation of applications from applicants seeking funds under the Grants for Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER Grants) program.

TIGER Grants are discretionary funds appropriated for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), or, stimulus bill, to be awarded by DOT, said Faleomavaega. He added that when Congress passed ARRA earlier this year, one of the goals of ARRA is to invest in transportation infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits.

As a result, $1.5 billion in discretionary funds was appropriated to be awarded by DOT for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure. These funds are to be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area or a region.

States and local governments including U.S. Territories are eligible. Grants awarded may be no less than $20 million and no more than $300 million. However, DOT is authorized to issue waivers for the purpose of funding significant projects in smaller cities, regions, or States, said Faleomavaega in a press release.

Eligible projects for TIGER Discretionary Grants include, but are not limited to, highway and bridge systems under Title 23, US Code, such as road system rehabilitation, bridge replacements, seismic retrofit projects for bridges, and road realignments.

In addition, public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53 of Title 49, US Code, are also eligible. Port infrastructure investments including projects that connect ports to other modes of transportation and improve the efficiency of freight movement are eligible as well.

To receive a grant award, there are two Primary Selection Criteria.

Priority is given to projects that have significant impacts on desirable long-term outcomes which are identified as: (1) State of Good Repair; (2) Economic competitiveness; (3) Livability; (4) Sustainability; and (5) Safety.

In addition, projects that are expected to immediately stimulate job growth and economic activity. As Secondary Selection Criteria, projects must demonstrate innovation and partnership.

“This is a great opportunity for [the] American Samoa Government to get funding for projects to build and improve our transportation system. Not only will such projects improve safety for our traveling public, they will also contribute to job growth and help stimulate economic activity in our Territory,” said Faleomavaega.

Complete background and detailed information about the TIGER Discretionary Grants can be found on-line at www.dot.gov/recovery/.  Additional information can also be obtained through e-mail at TIGERGrants@dot.gov or by calling (202) 366–7687.

The deadline to submit applications for TIGER Discretionary Grants is Sept. 15, 2009.