Stoic Mainers spurn drought relief aid

PORTLAND – Mainers’ stoic and independent spirit is hampering the state’s attempt to win federal disaster relief for the drought, according to emergency management officials.

State officials have the names of only 163 people whose private wells have gone dry after more than six months working on the issue.

The Maine Emergency Management Agency does not know how many more are out there but suspects that at least 2,000 private wells have been depleted at some point.

Maine is filled with “do-it-yourself” people, said Haig Brochu, well approval coordinator of the state Drinking Water Program.

“People in general in Maine have a lot of pride,” Brochu said. “It takes a lot for people to suck that up and go to an official and say, ‘I have a problem.”‘

State officials are urging homeowners with water problems to contact their town or county emergency management agency so officials can build a list for federal authorities.

No programs exist to help private well owners, except for very low-income homeowners. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has never before offered aid to areas stricken by drought, but it could aid all homeowners if President Bush declares the state a disaster area, state officials said.

That won’t happen unless the state proves the need.

To be eligible for federal assistance, the state must show that public entities have suffered around $1.5 million in damages, and it also must document that the drought has significantly affected many lives, said agency spokeswoman Lynette Miller.

Federal officials need the names and addresses of people whose private wells have gone dry, she added.

The state has raw data showing that the drought has cost public entities more than $2 million statewide, according to Miller.

Although that amount appears to be enough for the state to qualify for federal assistance, she said, it’s unclear whether all those costs were incurred entirely because of the drought.

Miller said the state hasn’t spent much money educating the public about reporting dry wells. The agency’s campaign has been limited to the Internet.

But officials now believe they may get better results by putting up posters in laundramats around the state. Laundramats have become gathering places in many communities for people who have no water at home.

Doug Lathrop, a consultant for a small water system in Harpswell, told MEMA officials that their message has been unclear and poorly publicized.

“You need to send a clear message out there, so people can see it,” he said after the meeting. “Wal-Mart and Kmart and Ames and Sears and Best Buy wouldn’t do worth a hoot if they just kind of sat back the way these folks are.”