American Samoa is receiving $2.5 million to support critical state conservation and outdoor recreation projects.
The funding comes from the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell Johnson Sport Fish Restoraction act.
A total of $1.1 billion was distributed to states and territories.
American Samoa apportionments include $1,173,058 in Sport Fish Restoration funds and $1,328,563 in Wildlife Restoration funds.
Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said, “American Samoa sportsmen and women are some of our best conservationists and they contribute billions of dollars toward wildlife conservation and sportsmen access every year through the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts.
“For nearly eighty years, states have been able to fund important conservation initiatives thanks to the more than $20 billion that has generated nationwide.
“Every time a firearm, fishing pole, hook, bullet, motor boat or boat fuel is sold, part of that cost goes to fund conservation.
“The best way to increase funding for conservation and sportsmen access is to increase the number of hunters and anglers in our woods and waters.”
The funds, which are distributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are derived from excise taxes paid by the hunting, shooting, boating and angling industries on firearms, bows and ammunition and sport fishing tackle, some boat engines, and small engine fuel.
