The overall scope of this report is to describe the major habitats and marine life in the project area, with the aim of providing relevant information for future development projects. Past development activities in the project area include dredging operations in the nearshore reef area and the installation of a wastewater discharge pipeline in Gataivai. This is the first known comprehensive biological assessment undertaken in the area.
This Phase 1 Draft report was prepared in accordance with the May 7, 2014, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Planning Aid Letter (PAL), Scope of Work (SOW) and Budget for assisting the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHA) and the American Samoa Department of Public Works (DPW) with a marine resource and impact assessment associated with installation of shoreline protection structures to stabilize highway roadbeds.