WASHINGTON, D.C.—  A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers from Maine are asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency  to move quickly to approve funds that will be used to stabilize Whittier Road and nearby Sandy River in Farmington.

Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Irene in August of 2011 caused erosion of the riverbank and road and the road risks collapse, according to a letter sent by U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both R-Maine, and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.

According to the letter local officials were recently notified that a grant for about $227,000 that would be used to help stablize the riverbanks along Whittier Road was in limbo pending an Endangered Species Act consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the impact of the project to the Sandy River’s salmon habitat.

“The bank stabilization project can only be completed within the annual low water window between July 15 and September 30, 2012,” the lawmakers wrote.  “If the assessment is not completed immediately, the added delays will likely cause the project to be pushed back until next year.  We urge that you work with FWS to complete all required and appropriate environmental assessments as quickly as is practically feasible. “

The lawmakers asked Fugate to reommend an emergency consultation so the project could move forward.  

“The bank stabilization project is anticipated to cost $227,000, but, if the road collapses, the costs to the town and the taxpayers are likely to be three times that amount,” the lawmakers wrote. “Traffic would have to be diverted in order to access schools and businesses, and trucking routes for businesses that use Whittier road would have to use a detour. Ambulances and services to Franklin Memorial Hospital would be delayed, and emergency responses could be threatened.  The consequences of delays are real and serious.  Furthermore, the environmental impacts will be far worse if Whittier Road is allowed to collapse.”

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