The American Samoa Government is proposing to purchase 27 acres of the Naumati Forest, the last remaining lowlying forest on Tutuila in order that the land is protected and preserved.
Twenty acres are owned by the Haleck family and five acres belong to the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa.
Director of Marine and Wildlife Resources Archie Taotasi Soliai says the Haleck family has given confirmation to sell their 22 acres, and DMWR is to make a presentation to the CCCAS general conference next Wednesday to convince the church to sell their portion of the forest.
Soliai explains that the Naumati Forest is home to a variety of rare birds and bats that play vital roles in maintaining the ecological balance. Birds aid in seed dispersal, while bats are key pollinators. The forest is also home to 48 different tree species, some of which have medicinal value, such as the “salato” or “stinging nettle tree,” which is not found anywhere else in American Samoa.
The forest is also a significant recharge area for drinking water, directly impacting the ASPA Fagaima wells in Tafuna. The forest acts as a natural filtration system, purifying rainwater as it percolates through the soil and replenishes the underground aquifer.
Another vital function of the Naumati Forest is its ability to mitigate flood risks.
Soliai points out that the Kokoland and Fagaima areas are notorious for severe flooding during heavy rains, exacerbated by extensive construction. Development within the forest area would impede this natural absorption capacity, leading to increased flood risks for residents and businesses.
Preservation of the Naumati Forest would ensure that future generations can experience the area’s natural beauty and historical treasures.
The DMWR Director also believes preserving the forest in its natural state honors the divine beauty and complexity of the world we have inherited. “It is a moral and spiritual obligation to protect the gifts bestowed upon us by our Creator,” he says. By conserving the Naumati Forest, we affirm our respect for nature and our commitment to stewardship as caretakers of the earth.”
Soliai pointed out that the proposed funding source for the Naumati Forest purchase is the US Forest Legacy Program, a conservation program administered by the U.S. Forest Service to encourage the protection of privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases.
In 2010, American Samoa was awarded $1 million for the Ottoville Rainforest Preserve.
