Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that in a letter dated August 2, 2007 he has informed Governor Togiola and the Fono that the Federal Aviation Administration has indicated that ASG must make a decision by August 31, 2007 about whether or not to enter into an Other Transactions Agreement (OTA) or the $2 million set aside for the construction of a temporary airport tower will be lost. 

The full text of the Congressman’s letter which was copied to Senator Inouye, the Lieutenant Governor, the President and Senators, and the Speaker and Representatives is included below. 
 
Dear Governor Togiola:

On April 23, 2007 as a follow-up to my previous discussions with the FAA, I met with Mr. Robert A. Sturgell, Deputy Administrator of the FAA, and his staff in my DC office at which time I requested information regarding what options might be available to the American Samoa Government (ASG) to establish airport traffic control tower (ATCT) services at the Pago Pago International Airport. 

On July 20, 2007, three months after our meeting, the FAA provided my office with a letter and information including a list of contractors who have experience building ATCTs.  On July 25, 2007, I forwarded this information to the Fono and your office and stated that I would inform the FAA to release the $2 million which had been set aside so that ASG may enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the FAA to develop plans and locate a site for the construction of an air traffic control tower within the vicinity of the airport.

On August 1, 2007, the FAA contacted my office and informed me that ASG must make a decision by August 31, 2007 about whether or not to enter into an Other Transactions Agreement (OTA) with the FAA or the $2 million set aside will be lost. 

If you wish to pursue this agreement, your office will need to immediately contact Mr. Mr. Robert A. Sturgell, Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence AVE, SW, Washington, DC  20591.  You may also contact Ms. Megan Rosia, Assistant Administrator for Government and Industry Affairs at 202-267-3277.

You will need to provide Mr. Sturgell with point of contact information including the Airport Director or Manager’s Name, Title, Address, Phone, Fax and Email.  You will also need to determine if ASG will enter into the OTA or if the airport authority will be the point of contact.  Either ASG or the airport authority will need to sign the OTA, accept the funds, and be responsible for the project and the resulting tower. 

The Congressman concluded his letter by saying, “For your information, I am also enclosing my letter of August 2, 2007 to Mr. Sturgell regarding this matter.  Please let me know if I may be of further assistance.”