News - Marshall Islands

A $1,240,411 grant aims to reduce invasive species in U.S. territories and Freely Associated States. This grant, from the U.S. Department of Interior follows a $1.4 million grant for coral reef management and protection, according to a press release.

Parsons Government Services Inc. of Pasadena, Calif., was awarded a $34,291,600 firm-fixed-price contract for family housing replacement. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in the Marshall Islands [at the U.S. Army Garrison on Kwajalein Atoll], with an estimated completion date of Feb. 27, 2027.

The House Committee on Natural Resources will host a Congressional Field Hearing on Guam from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 24 at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa.

While the U.S. Missile Defense Agency awaits approval for the $9.6 billion it’s seeking in the fiscal 2023 budget, it is moving ahead with plans for Guam.
 

Nauru Airlines added a Boeing 737-800F to its fleet for freight operations. The airline operates four Boeing 737-300 passenger aircraft, and services to Brisbane, Honiara, Majuro, Nadi, Pohnpei and Tarawa. During the FAA’s downing of Asia Pacific Airlines to islands in Micronesia, Nauru Airlines began carrying cargo on routes in the region.

Facing a potential financial cliff Sept. 30, when the current 20-year Compact funding deal ends, with the prospect of no U.S. funding or federal grant access led the Marshall Islands to approve a disputed agreement signed in January that sets out funding amounts for this western Pacific nation.

A $3.6 million effort is being made to stop the spread of the brown treesnake. The species, which was accidentally introduced to Guam, has wreaked havoc on the local bird population and has caused multiple Guam Power Authority outages over the decades.