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Saving Cape Hatteras Lighthouse from the Sea Options and Policy Implications (1988) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-8

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From page 1...
... Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is on one of the barrier islands that constitute North Carolina's Outer Banks. These islands are subject to powerful currents and storms that, in general, cause erosion of east-facing shorelines and accretion of south-facing shorelines.
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From page 2...
... Political feasibility of the various options or the nature and extent of public sentiment associated with them were not within the scope of the charge, and the committee did not critically assess them. NPS's decision on how to preserve the lighthouse will have to be made in the context of its mission to provide historic preservation, the various public policies relating to U.S.
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From page 3...
... It authorized the Historic American Buildings Survey, the Historic American Engineering Record, and the National Survey of Historic Sites. It also provided for establishment of national historic sites, preservation of properties "of national historic or archeological significance," and designation of national historic landmarks.
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From page 4...
... Notwithstanding these measures and historic concern for the American coast, the nation and its coastal states have yet to formulate an adequate response to the increasing problems of a shoreline moving landward and a population moving seaward. Resolving the Conflicts In selecting an option or combination of options to preserve the lighthouse, NPS will need to comply with public policies concerning historic preservation as well as those concerning coastal management and protection.
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From page 5...
... This option best satisfies public policies regarding historic preservation, conservation, and coastal management; minimizes ecological damage; and involves little risk to the lighthouse. The committee also believes that moving the
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From page 6...
... Army Corps of Engineers in 1985. The proposed design involves four elements: a concrete seawall encircling the lighthouse, a sheetpile cutoff wall below the seawall, an underground stone revetment fronting the seawall, and a compacted earth fill behind the seawall (U.S.
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From page 7...
... The groinfield/revetment option would make future relocation of the lighthouse more difficult and expensive. ~· ~· ~ In addition, placing hardened defensive structures on the beach even below ground, is not in accord with state and national coastal policies.
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From page 8...
... . BROADER ISSUES In addition to evaluating options to preserve Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the committee was asked to address the broader context of national policy concerning historic preservation versus conservation and coastal issues.
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Key Terms

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  • hatteras lighthouse
  • army corps
  • sea level
  • concerning historic

  • national historic
  • policies concerning
  • outer banks
  • historic american
  • construction time

  • preserving cape
  • beach erosion
  • cost approximately
  • coastal management
  • committee estimates

  • regarding historic
  • coastal erosion
  • preservation versus
  • historic sites
  • decisions concerning

  • historic lighthouse
  • coastal policies
  • barrier islands
  • excessive cost
  • structures larger

  • buildings survey
  • option involves
  • included excessive
  • minimizes ecological
  • national register


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