DOI official to travel to Hawai’i, Guam and Palau for meetings on Compact funding and coral reef preservation
U.S. Interior Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech will travel next week to Hawai’i for meetings on Compact of Free Association funding for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).
At this year’s meeting, the Joint Economic Meetings Committees will be determining approximately $115 million of financial assistance for the FSM and RMI to be allocated primarily among the health, education, and infrastructure sectors for fiscal year 2020. The committees oversee and review the use of Compact funds received by FSM and RMI.
“I look forward to having productive meetings in each area and advancing issues of importance related to Compact funding for the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands,” Domenech said.
The following week he will travel to Guam and Palau to co-chair the annual meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force.
“Likewise, I look forward to meetings on Guam and discussions in Palau related to coral reef management and preservation with all the stakeholders in the federal government, at the state and territory government level, and with the freely associated states,” Domenech said.
In Hawai’i, Domenech will be attending the Joint Economic Meetings with FSM and Marshall Islands.
While on Guam, Domenech will meet with members of the Guam Chamber of Commerce and visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Guam National Wildlife Refuge at Ritidian Point.
Domenech will also pay a courtesy visit on Rear Admiral John Menoni, the new commander of Joint Region Marianas. Menoni also holds the roles of Senior Military Official for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau; Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas; and Commander, Task Force West.
For the week beginning Sept. 9, Domenech will travel to Palau where he will co-chair the 42nd annual U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting.
The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force was established in 1998 by Presidential Executive Order to lead U.S. efforts to preserve and protect coral reef
ecosystems and includes leaders of 12 federal agencies, seven U.S. states, territories, and commonwealths, and the freely associated states.
Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. will be the official host of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force which last met in Palau in 2005. Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will co-chair the meeting with Assistant Secretary Domenech. U.S.Geological Survey Director Jim Reilly will be the featured speaker.