Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding.

Mr. Chairman, the reason I am standing here is to engage the chairman of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee in a colloquy.

First of all, I want to just take a second to commend Chairman Hobson and the ranking member and the Appropriations Subcommittee staff for their outstanding work in the difficulty in bringing some of these measures before the floor, for their hard work.

Mr. Chairman, my Florida district includes the coastline along Flagler County, which has been dramatically devastated by recent hurricanes and damaging storms. The beach has steadily eroded; and sections of our historic and scenic national highway A1A have been washed away by the storms. Because some of the road has fallen into the Atlantic Ocean, the Florida Department of Transportation has installed a temporary seawall in those areas.

Initially, we had some problems in reaching a local consensus on the best way to restore the beach and secure this scenic and coastal highway. However, with hurricane season approaching, if this vital highway falls, our only emergency route in this area could be lost.

Earlier this month, I brought together our local leaders and decisionmakers to discuss the problem and identify solutions. A consensus has been reached that we must complete a feasibility study and cooperate with the Corps of Engineers so the critical restoration work can be expedited. State and local officials will also be working together with Federal officials to explore cost-effective alternative restoration technologies.

I would like to, finally, ask the chairman if he would continue to work with me on this very important project for my district and also in conference to provide the critical resources to protect and restore the coastal areas and devastated beaches in Flagler County, Florida.

Mr. HOBSON. I have seen the pictures that you have given me, and I certainly understand the problem there in Florida. We will try to work with you every way we can. Because I have seen it. It has fallen in, and it has got to be fixed.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman and the subcommittee.