U.S. Senator Susan Collins today sent a letter to the President urging him to support the Governor’s request to declare an emergency in Aroostook County as a result of recent major snowfall and winter storm conditions.
“As a native of Aroostook County, I know that residents are no strangers to adverse weather conditions,” said Senator Collins. “However, this winter’s record snowfall has put an enormous financial burden on many local communities. Our public works departments have performed admirably, clearing roads during often treacherous conditions, but doing so has strained the limited budgets of our towns and cities.”
The full text of Senator Collins’ letter to the President is as follows:
April 1, 2008
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
I am writing to express my support for a request that Maine Governor John Baldacci submitted for federal disaster assistance on behalf of Aroostook County, Maine, as a result of major snowfall and winter storm conditions from March 19 through 22, 2008.
This series of snow storms capped an already heavy season of snowfall for Maine. So far this winter, Aroostook County has received 189 inches (nearly 16 feet) of snow versus the average snowfall for a season, which is 105 inches for Aroostook County. This year’s level of snow breaks the 1955 record for a single season of 181 inches, and more snow is likely to occur throughout the month of April. Such a high level of snowfall has resulted in extraordinary snow removal costs to local communities as well as the State. With nearly 16 feet of snow this winter, snow removal has become more difficult with each new storm. As snow banks grow, no room is left to pile up new snow and roads become dangerously narrow with poor visibility, forcing the State to close roads and leading to an increase in the number of automobile accidents. Preliminary records from the Maine Department of Transportation show almost 3,300 hours in overtime and callout for this storm. Towns in Aroostook County uniformly report budget shortfalls in snow removal and fuel costs for this winter. Below is a list of some of the extraordinary costs for the communities in Aroostook County coping with the record snowfall this season.
• The City of Caribou has already spent 52% more than its four-year average for a winter road maintenance season.
• The City of Presque Isle is 34% over budget in snow removal costs.
• The Town of Wade reports a 65% increase for snow removal.
• The Town of Washburn has doubled its overtime budget and seen plowing costs increase up to 50% due to extra fuel costs.
• The Town of Perham has experienced a 76% increase in fuel costs as well as a 58% increase in snow removal costs.
The Governor has determined that the impact of the snow storms from March 19 through 22, 2008 “exceeds State and local response capabilities” and has sought federal emergency assistance for snow removal for a total of 72 hours. Given the impact of these storms, and the cumulative snowfall this year - not only on Aroostook County, but also on the entire State of Maine - federal assistance is clearly necessary for Maine to be able to maintain its roads.
I strongly urge you to carefully consider and rapidly approve Governor Baldacci’s request for an emergency declaration for Aroostook County.
###