WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Representative John L. Mica (R-7th District) today announced that federal assistance for a number of projects in Flagler County has been given initial support from the House of Representatives. Congress is currently working to pass appropriations measures that provide funds for Fiscal Year 2004, which begins on October 1st, 2003. Project funds are included in several bills which secured necessary approvals over the past week.
"Our citizens in Flagler County pay a significant amount of federal taxes to Washington, and it’s only fair that some of these funds be returned to benefit our community," Rep. Mica stated.
The Congressman continued, "I am pleased that a number of significant infrastructure projects in our region have received House approval for federal support and investment. Now it is important that the U.S. Senate joins in final approval of these projects."
Proposed funds for the following projects are included in the Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill, which was approved by the House Appropriations Committee on July 24th and must now be passed on the House Floor:
$892,000 – Flagler County "Scenic and Historic A1A" National Scenic Byway - On January 17, 2002, "Scenic and Historic A1A" was officially designated as a State of Florida Scenic Highway. Flagler County submitted a grant application under the National Scenic Byways Program, which was approved in the amount of $1.3 million. As a nonfederal match, Flagler County has set aside $375,000. Unfortunately, only $408,000 of the grant funds was provided due to the lack of available federal funds. The FY 2004 earmark will ensure Flagler County receives all of the funds for which it was approved for this project.
$300,000 - Flagler Senior Services – new transit coaches - Flagler Senior Services serves as the State of Florida’s Community Transportation Coordinator for Flagler County. Unfortunately its current fleet of buses has not increased in size in 8 years, while the population has doubled in the second fastest growing county in Florida. Some of the vehicles currently in use have over 10 years and between 200,000 and 300,000 miles of service. Additional vehicles are now needed to replace those which have exceeded their useful life as recommended by the Federal Transit Administration.
The full House of Representatives also passed the Energy and Water Appropriations Act on July 18th. Funds in that public works measure include:
$100,000 – Flagler County Shore Feasibility Study - A feasibility study is required to consider the benefits of conducting a beach restoration project along the shoreline of Flagler County, and particularly at the Cities of Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach. During storms, winds of significant magnitude produce extreme water levels and large waves which transmit considerable energy to the beach. Not only does this type of weather pattern cause great damage to the beach, it also threatens the County’s major hurricane evacuation route – State Road A1A. In particular, the Flagler County shoreline was heavily damaged during the 1999-2000 hurricane seasons exacerbating erosion problems. These shores are a mainstay in the local economy and protection of this resource is of the utmost importance to residents and visitors alike.