So far, a total of 22 applications have been received by the AS Environmental Protection Agency in response to the Adopt a Stream program which allows individuals, families, businesses, government departments/agencies, and other community organizations who want to beautify the island, protect coral reefs, and keep the environment clean, to adopt a stream or roadside area for the duration of the year.

ASEPA's Keep American Samoa Beautiful (KASB) program coordinator and Solid Waste Program chief Ioane Tomanogi said the program aims to garner community support to protect the territory's coral reef system and beautify the island "for our future generations.”

He said they want to get everyone to participate as environmentally sensitive stewards so "our children can enjoy the beauty of American Samoa."

A presentation for the program was made before the Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG) on Monday.

The targeted roadside areas include the 3-Youngs Service Station in Leloaloa to Aua village, the airport road, the area from the Laufou Shopping Center to the Nu’uuli intersection, the area from Cost U Less to KS Mart, and the stretch from KS Mart to the Ili’ili Golf Course.

The five selected streams are located in Aua, Pago Pago, Fagatogo, Utulei, and Faga’alu. The focus is on the streams around the bay area, where there is an abundance of trash. The goal of the program is to lessen or completely eliminate all the trash in these areas, by encouraging people to pick up after themselves and discourage senseless littering habits.

Sites are not limited to the aforementioned areas.

ASEPA will help out by providing trash bags and gloves for all the participants. The ultimate goal of the project is to increase public awareness of the environmental impacts caused by littering.

Designated areas will be marked with “recognition signs” naming the group, family or business responsible for adopting those particular roadside areas or streams.

The ASEPA is hopeful that this pilot program is a successful one.

Tomanogi told Samoa News yesterday, "we need the help of the village people and the community." He added, "we want to give everyone a sense of ownership and get the message out. This is part of our outreach program, to educate people on why they need to stop littering. The key is our children. They need a sustainable environment and everyone needs to play a part in keeping our beautiful island free of trash."

Those interested in adopting a stream or roadside can register by contacting the ASEPA office directly at 633-2304.

The following is a list of Adopters and the areas they will be tackling:

ROADSIDE ADOPTERS            AREA

Faasao Marist National Honor Society            Lepuapua Bus Stop to Leone Bus Stop

Heart of Worship            Airport to KS Mart

Iakina Seventh Day Adventist Path Finders            Ili'ili - KS Mart to Golf Course

Mark Frederick Ude            Faganeanea to Nuuuli

Misipeka Family            Asuega Guesthouse to Pago Taxi Stand

Miss Flowers Organization            Vai's Florist to Intersection Bus Stop

Nuuuli VoTech HS Agricultural Club            NVTHS front gate to Nuuuli intersection

Pava'ia'i First Ward Boy Scouts "Troop 292"            Pava'ia'i Road - MJ Audio to Canco Hill

Teen Challenge            Ottoville intersection to Fatuoaiga

STREAM ADOPTERS            AREA

Autalavou Katoliko Fagatogo            Fagatogo Stream near Fale Fono

CCCAS Matu'u and Faganeanea Youth            Stream next to Aveina Store

Faleniu Youth            Faleniu Stream

Pago Marine            Vaipito Stream, Pago Pago

Tuala Boyz            Fagaalu Stream

Utulei Aumaga            Utulei Stream

Fagatogo Methodist Church            Stream near the Marketplace

Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources            Fagatogo Stream mouth

ROADSIDE AND STREAM ADOPTERS            AREA

Aua Elementary School             Aua back road/small stream near Aua school

Leone Village Empowerment Team            Leone bus stop across from Kristopher II Mart to bus stop in main Leone village, across from Faiivae and Tuitele Guesthouse/ Fuafua Stream in Sogi, Leone

New Apostolic Church Youth            Pago Pago Tool Shop to tennis courts/small streams along the roadside

VILLAGE ADOPTERS            AREA

Esera family            Old Poloa village

Fatumalala Leulua'iali'i Al-Shehri            Nua village next to Alataua School