U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $1,372,875 in funding to the Bethel Water District (BWD). In July, Oxford County experienced severe flash flooding that impaired Bethel Water District’s filtration system. Snowe and Collins sent a letter to President Bush last July urging him to approve Governor Baldacci’s request for federal distance assistance for Oxford County.
“For months now, volunteers and town officials have worked tirelessly to restore Oxford County and I am extremely pleased that federal resources are finally arriving for the Bethel Water District to assist this effort,” said Snowe and Collins. “This assistance will be critical for the construction of a new filtration system and is a major step in the recovery from the July 11th deluge."
The FEMA funding will be used to help the Bethel Water District recover from flash flooding earlier this summer that severely damaged Chapman Brook Watershed, BWD’s only supply water supply.
Included is text of the letter sent July 25, 2007:
Dear Mr. President,
We are writing to express our support for a request that Governor John Baldacci has submitted for federal disaster assistance on behalf of our home state of Maine. On July 11th a deluge overloaded water systems and caused damage to the Bethel Water District’s filtration system. The rainstorm was an unprecedented event in Oxford County, unleashing roughly 6 to 8 inches of rain in approximately 45 minutes and federal assistance for Maine will be necessary to reconstruct the infrastructure and assist local residents.
The storm devastated the public water infrastructure in Bethel, Maine, leaving 650 customers without a functioning water system. Since the event occurred, the Town of Bethel has been compelled to incur the costs of transporting up to 80,000 gallons of water per day from adjacent water districts. With the fall months approaching, it is critical that expeditious efforts must commence to develop a water system capable of providing water during the cold winter months when the temporary, above-ground, pipes would freeze. Furthermore, Oxford County experienced widespread damage to roads, and bridges, totaling an estimated expense of $241,651 in repairs. It is becoming increasingly evident that federal assistance will be necessary for Oxford County to recover from the destruction.
We strongly urge you to carefully consider and rapidly approve Governor Baldacci’s request for federal disaster assistance in Oxford County, Maine. We believe you will agree that the impact of this anomalous weather event calls for strong measures to allow families and businesses in this region to begin recovery efforts immediately.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your response to this critical matter.
Sincerely,
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE SUSAN M. COLLINS
United States Senator United States Senator
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