Wanted: Rocks For Lighthouse
By Sue Clark on Dec 30, 2007 in Opinion, Threatened 
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Erosion Threatening New Point Comfort Lighthouse
Sitting on a quarter acre pile of rocks in Chesapeake Bay, the New Point Comfort Lighthouse is precariously perched as the winter storms will toss them around. Abandoned by the Coast Guard in 1963 and left to weather the storms, waves and vandalism, this once proud beacon’s land is washing away. Storms such as Hurricane Isabel in 2003 have washed away much of what used to be an island. When it was built in 1805, it could be accessed on foot at low tide. Now it’s inaccessible and sits only 8 to 9 feet above mean sea level on its own island.
Matthews County acquired the lighthouse in 1975, but the only major work to be done was to build a pier for workers to maintain the light, which apparently hasn’t had much done to it in that period. According to a story in the Daily Press, the lighthouse property is off-limits and “no trespassing” signs are posted. The lighthouse is “dangerous,” said Mathews County Administrator Steve Whiteway. “It’s a dangerous structure and the stairway inside is dangerous.”
Five Thousand Tons of Boulders Needed
To start, the county wants to bring in about 5000 tons of granite boulders to shore up the lighthouse base. It’s estimated to cost about $750,000 for this project. Also in the plans (but not included in the cost) is a new pedestrian walkway. Earlier this year, the Army Corps of Engineers presented a proposal to expand the island and stabilize the area around it with dredging material, but it turned out to be cost prohibitive. So the plan is to remove the useless rocks that are on the island and replace them with a protective wall of the granite boulders, along with a pathway around the islet.
Fund Raising, Not Tax Dollars
The county is waiting for the final preservation plans to start seeking grants and private donations for the work. The New Point Comfort Task Force, formed to help the county with preservation efforts, is also preparing to embark on a fund drive to raise money for the preservation project. “We haven’t directly asked for money from anyone,” Ed Soles, a member of the task force, said. “Our goal is to raise money as best we can.” Hey, if you guys want some boulders for free, come on up to Maine. I’ve got hundreds of granite boulders lying around my house being, well, rocks. Big, dumb rocks just waiting for a job like this.
The High Cost of the A.C.E.
What I can’t understand is the high cost of the Army Corps of Engineers (no price was given in the article). The usage of dredging material would be an effective way to rebuild the land, so why would it cost so much? This strikes me as counter-productive. What does the ACE do with the material it dredges out of harbors and shipping/boating channels? Generally, they are moved inland and placed as landfill. Why would it be so much money to bring the dredgings of sand and rock to the lighthouse? Something is wrong here.
Coming Tomorrow: The High Cost of Rocks
If you think $750,000 is a high price for rocks, check back tomorrow when Lighthouse News gives you a really “WOW” article on the cost for lighthouse repairs.
Photo Credit: New Point Comfort Lighthouse Copyright 2007 by Heath Cash on Flickr (All Rights Reserved. Used with permission).
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More About High Cost of Rocks
- Wanted: Rocks For Lighthouse
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