A Samtgemeinde (German pronunciation: ['zamtgəmaɪndə]; see remark) is an administrative division in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is equivalent with the Amt (Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Brandenburg), and the Verbandsgemeinde (Rhineland-Palatinate). It is an association of municipalities, which executes administrative duties for its member municipalities. A Samtgemeinde should have at least 7,000 inhabitants (§71 paragraph 1 Lower Saxony law on local government). The tasks of the Samtgemeinden may be land use planning, wastewater disposal, social security or the organisation of cemeteries and fire stations. It also takes over the sponsorship of elementary schools, the construction of local connecting roads, equipment and entertainment of libraries, sports sites and establishm