The Army Corps of Engineers are waiting for government funding to start building another massive rock wall around Montauk Point in order to protect the Montauk Lighthouse from continued erosion. This project threatens to destroy the popular east coast surf spot, Alamo, by burying it under large boulders. The classic righthander which peels off on the North side of the lighthouse is also threatened to be obliterated. The Eastern Long Island Surfrider Foundation chapter has been working hard to save this spot and the local environment, which depend on the natural flow of swell and sand.
The wall will be made of 12.6-ton boulders wrapping 840 feet to bracket the easternmost tip of Long Island. This huge project will cost over $14 million dollars and, from many scientists’ perspectives, will only be a temporary fix. "It's putting a Band-Aid on erosion," said Tom Naro of Hampton Bays, chairman of the Surfrider chapter. "Past attempts at armoring Montauk Point have failed. This one will likely prove to be no match for rising sea levels and the power of the ocean."
Surfrider conducted an environmental study showing the detrimental effects more boulders will have on the natural flow of sand and the environment dependent on this natural flow. The chapter has presented a permanent solution to the erosion problem by suggesting to move the lighthouse back from the shore. Other lighthouses have been successfully moved back in the area and no longer deal with erosion problems.
The chapter's solution although initially more expensive than the Army Corps of Engineers proposal, makes more sense in the long run both economically and environmentally. Surfrider’s proposal will not only benefit the hundreds of ocean goers who enjoy the current natural environment, but it will also save the historical lighthouse from erosion problems far into the future.
To help save this spot and participate on this campaign, please visit the Surfrider website: www.surfriderli.org
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