Date of Conferral
10-21-2026
Date of Award
October 2026
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Policy and Administration
Advisor
Mark Gordon
Abstract
The vulnerability of American Samoa and the life it sustains is uncertain when the government fails to enforce sand-mining regulations. The environment suffers adverse effects from sand mining, necessitating residents’ awareness of its impacts. The problem this general qualitative study addressed was American Samoa’s finite sand extraction policies and their consequences on local reef resources. The purpose was to explore the implementation and enforcement of current environmental policies that protect recreational beaches in American Samoa and address its sand-mining problems to inform policy improvements in these areas. The research question addressed the elements of existing environmental policies in American Samoa that fail to compel governmental administrators. Data were collected from interviews with 10 public administrators from government departments with authority over sand-mining practices. Deductive analysis revealed that the regulatory environment was characterized by limited awareness, fragmented agency roles, and weak enforcement capacity. Participants expressed uncertainty about which agencies hold authority and described regulations as ineffective or inconsistently applied. Policies are in place, yet there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the legality of sand mining in the Territory. Positive social impact is possible when all sectors align; the protection of the Territory’s resources may shift from a question of whether to enforce sand-mining regulations to an imperative duty.
Recommended Citation
Tuitele, Christianera Eleitino, "American Samoa’s Finite Sand Extraction Policies and Consequences on Local Reef Resources" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20867.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20867
