OIA Press Releases (2020 to Present)

Grants Now Open to U.S. Insular Areas Under Coral Reef and Natural Resources Initiative

03/14/2019

Doug Domenech, U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, today announced the Coral Reef and Natural Resources (CRNR) Initiative open for applications from the U.S. Insular Areas. The goal of the CRNR Initiative is to improve the health of coral reef ecosystems and other natural resources in the U.S. insular areas for their long-term economic and social benefit. 

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Interior Provides $853,590 for Former Trust Territory of Pacific Islands Employees through Prior Service Trust Fund Program

03/13/2019

U.S. Interior Assistant Secretary Insular and International Affairs Doug Domenech has authorized a payment of $853,590 in FY 2019 funding for the Prior Service Trust Fund (PSTF) Administration, which distributes benefits to former employees of the post-World War II, U.S.-administered, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) in the Western Pacific.

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President Proposes $611 Million FY 2020 Budget for the U.S. Territories and the Freely Associated States

03/11/2019

President Trump today proposed $611 million for fiscal year 2020 through the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) for the benefit of fellow Americans in the U.S. Territories of Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The proposal also includes funding for U.S. allies in the Pacific – the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

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Interior Supports Students from U.S. Insular Areas through Junior State of America Program

02/27/2019

Doug Domenech, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular and International Affairs, today announced $86,450 in funding support for students from the U.S. territories and the freely associated states towards the Junior State of American (JSA) program. Seventy-five high school students will participate in the Insular Areas Youth Civic Engagement’s Academic Preparation and Community Project Boot Camp. 

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Interior Announces $2.2 Million Payment to U.S. Virgin Islands for Adjustment in FY 2018 Rum Excise Tax

02/26/2019

Doug Domenech, Assistant Secretary of the Interior, Insular and International Affairs, yesterday presented U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. $2,228,901 which represents an adjustment to the actual certified rum excise tax amounts for FY 2018. Certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, this amount represents the final rum excise tax payment owed to the U.S. Virgin Islands for the 2018 fiscal year.

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Interior Assistant Secretary Domenech and High-Level U.S. Delegation Meet with Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine; Visit Kwajalein and Ebeye Atolls

02/20/2019

Doug Domenech, U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, met today with Republic of the Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine while on travel in the Republic of Palau. Assistant Secretary Domenech presented President Heine with $1,178,148 in grant funding to support the Four Atoll Healthcare program. 

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