OIA Press Releases (2020 to Present)

Combatting Invasive Species photo

OIA Announces $1.2 Million in FY2023 Funds to Combat Invasive Species in the Insular Areas

09/06/2023

“Invasive species are disruptive and destabilizing to eco-systems in the islands in ways that threaten food sources and the livelihoods of people in these areas,” said Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor. “Combatting invasive species and mitigating their threat is a priority throughout the Insular Areas. We are pleased to provide this support.”  

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Coral Reef and Natural Resources program photo

OIA Announces $1.4 Million in FY2023 Funds to Protect and Support Coral Reefs in the Insular Areas

09/05/2023

“Coral reefs are important income generators for tourism and food industries in island economies; and while coral reefs protect and harbor fish and other coastal resources, they also provide islands with critical protection from erosion and wave action from storms.,” said Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor. “We are grateful to Congress for providing this funding and helping the Insular Areas protect these unique natural resources.”  

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Maintenance Assistance Program Provides $5.2 Million for the Insular Areas in Fiscal Year 2023

08/10/2023

“Maintenance and upkeep are necessary for the islands where the warmer weather, higher humidity, and the saltwater environment cause faster degradation of equipment and buildings,” said Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor. “All across the Insular Areas, OIA’s Maintenance Assistance Program is making a difference in small and big ways.”  
 

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Guam Flag

Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Provides Guam with Recovery Support for Typhoon Mawar Impacts

08/08/2023

“In response to the Governor’s request, we are pleased to provide this additional support for Guam following President Biden’s emergency declaration and thank all of our federal partners for their continued support for supplemental territorial and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Typhoon Mawar,” said Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor. “We anticipate that this grant to Guam will provide stability and continuity of services in this current time of need and in the future.”

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RTP Milkshnake photo

Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Distributes $3,648,875 to Federal, State and Territorial Partners for Brown Treesnake Control Program on Guam

08/02/2023

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) today announced that $3,648,875 for the Brown Treesnake Control Program in fiscal year 2023 has been distributed among federal, territorial, and state partners in the ongoing fight to control the Brown Treesnake on Guam and to prevent it from spreading throughout the Western Pacific, including Hawai’i.

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Republic of the Marshall Islands logo

Office of Insular Affairs Announces $5,218,185 Million to Support the Republic of the Marshall Islands in Fiscal Year 2023

08/01/2023

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs has announced $5,218,185 in fiscal year 2023 Technical Assistance Program (TAP) grant funding that will go towards supporting programs and projects to benefit the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) through local governments, a non-profit organization, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

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FSM Flag logo

Secretary Haaland Wraps Weeklong Pacific Islands Visit, Leads Delegation to Inauguration of the President of the Federated States of Micronesia

07/26/2023

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland wrapped a weeklong trip to the Pacific Islands today, including visits to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, where she led the U.S. delegation for the inauguration of the 10th President of the Federated States of Micronesia, H.E. Wesley W. Simina. 

She also announced $976,918 in Office of Insular Affairs Technical Assistance Program grant funds for Pohnpei and Yap.

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OIA Palau Flag

Secretary Haaland Highlights Conservation Investments in the Republic of Palau

07/24/2023

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has completed a visit to the Republic of Palau as part of her weeklong visit to the Pacific Islands, where she highlighted the United States’ historic and long-standing relationship with Palau, one of three freely associated states in the Pacific whose relationship is underpinned by a Compact of Free Association (Compact). She also announced $1,008,000 in Office of Insular Affairs Technical Assistance Program grant funds for Palau.

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Guam Flag

Secretary Haaland Highlights Typhoon Recovery, Habitat Investments in Visit to Guam

07/24/2023

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited the U.S. territory of Guam this weekend as part of a weeklong visit to the Pacific Islands. She affirmed the Biden-Harris administration’s ongoing support for Guam, an important U.S. commercial and economic hub in the Western Pacific, especially as the island continues to recover from the impacts of Typhoon Mawar.  She also announced $2,499,896 in Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) Technical Assistance Program (TAP) grant funds for the territory.

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