WASHINGTON - Maine's two senators have sent letters to President Bush in support of Gov. John Baldacci's appeal of the government's denial of emergency assistance for expenses from a late March snowstorm in northern Maine.

Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins wrote letters Friday saying that Aroostook County is need of federal assistance to help offset the local costs of cleaning up from the 33-inch blizzard that pummeled the region from March 19-22.

Snowe said local budgets are on the brink and local residents cannot shoulder the burden alone.

Baldacci initially submitted a request for emergency assistance in late March, and he filed an appeal of the denial on Thursday.