. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. Another North Caro- lina lighthouse is being imperiled by a shifting shoreline. The Cape Hat- teras lighthouse, the tall- est in the nation, has signaled navigators away from treacherous waters since 1870, when it replaced an older structure built in 1803. But, because of erosion, authorities believe the lighthouse will collapse— some say within 30 years, others much sooner. The National Park Service is trying to decide whether to preserve the landmark, either by moving it or arm- ing its foundations again
. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. Another North Caro- lina lighthouse is being imperiled by a shifting shoreline. The Cape Hat- teras lighthouse, the tall- est in the nation, has signaled navigators away from treacherous waters since 1870, when it replaced an older structure built in 1803. But, because of erosion, authorities believe the lighthouse will collapse— some say within 30 years, others much sooner. The National Park Service is trying to decide whether to preserve the landmark, either by moving it or arm- ing its foundations against encroaching waters. The park service has enlisted the help of the MTMA Design Group of Raleigh, which is investigating ways to save the building. The design group has asked Jerry Machemehl, an engineer and Sea Grant researcher, to produce plans for protecting the lighthouse. Machemehl has studied the waves, currents and storm surges of the shoreline, which he terms a "high- energy" area. The problem, he says, is to formulate a design flexible enough to allow the natural shoreline processes to continue, but solid enough to keep the lighthouse erect. One of Machemehl's designs calls for the construction of a revetment that would encircle the lighthouse and, as the shoreline re- cedes, create a man-made island under the landmark. Two alternative plans call for groins, beach nourishment and a smaller revetment—all designed to build a buf- fer of sand between the ocean and the lighthouse. Machemehl will submit his plans to the park service in January. The North Carolina Sea Grant program has received funding for its 1980 budget allocations. Sea Grant will receive $1,045,000 in federal funds and $522,500 in state funds. Director Copeland says this is a 10 percent in- crease over the 1979 funding. Nine new research projects will be initiated, while 21 others will be continued. It was an unfamiliar habitat, but 300 coho salmon and 150 rainbow trout weathered easte
Size: 1343px × 1861px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookcollectionunclibra, booksubjectoceanography
