This is on the Outer Banks Sentinel's website today. Paper will be out tomorrow.
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Bodie light lens to be removed
Photo By Sandy Semans/Sentinel Staff
Lighthouse groups across the nation are expressing shock and dismay at the U.S. Coast Guard's published intention to remove the first order Fresnel lens from the Bodie Island Lighthouse.
The lens is a series of prisms that magnify the light so that its signal can be seen at great distances.
"We are advertising the removal of the lens as part of our Aides to Navigation program," said John Walters, aides to waterways navigation branch chief based in Portsmouth at the Coast Guard's 5th District Headquarters. "An inspection was recently performed and found that it is deteriorating rapidly. Because of expenses involved in repairing it, we are looking at replacing it with more modern equipment."
But the lighthouse community wants to keep the light tower in tact. Built in 1878, the 157-foot tall lighthouse is the third to be built in that location. Although the National Park Service now owns the property, the beacon -- because it is a navigational aide -- is still owned by the Coast Guard.
"We are absolutely appalled," said Bruce Roberts of the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society, a nonprofit group that supports the state's lighthouses through volunteer efforts and fund raising. "We thought the lens was secured. If they take the lens, the whole fabric of the historic structure will be destroyed -- they will be taking the heart out of it."
Lighthouse supporters from around the country agree.
"The fact that they want to take the light out of the Bodie Island Lighthouse is insane," said Tim Harrison of the Maine-based American Lighthouse Foundation. "That is just theft -- they are getting ready to steal part of North Carolina's history."
N.C. Sen. Marc Basnight also wants the lens to stay where it is.
"I firmly believe the lens should stay here, in its original home. If it does need to be removed for repairs, our federal officials owe it to the community to guarantee that it will be returned to the Bodie Island Lighthouse," said Basnight.
Because the property is federally-owned, Basnight said that he is urging people to join him in contacting the state's congressional delegation to seek help in ensuring that the heart is not removed from this coastal treasure.
Harrison and others say that they think the lens will be given to a lighthouse museum on Staten Island in New York. However, Coast Guard officials deny that commitments have been made to the museum.
"That will have to be hammered out with the state historic preservation office," said Walters. He also noted that there are no plans to repair the lens and then to replace it in the light tower. "We don't have that kind of money."
Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act mandates a review of what effects federal actions would have on historic property. Although the site is not yet listed on the National Register, it is eligible for listing and thus qualifies for review.
Renee Gledhill-Earley, the historic preservation office's environmental review coordinator, said that the lens was created for that specific structure and therefore, is the defining character of its nighttime character.
She also said that there was no coordination with the state preservation officer when, more than a decade ago, the Coast Guard removed the lens from the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and sent it to Block Island where they have two lighthouses. "They are using the Cape Lookout lens as a backup. We don't want them to take another one from North Carolina -- they should use the one they have."
Harrison and Roberts agree.
"If it can't be returned to the top of the lighthouse, it should go there to the visitors center," said Harrison. "There is nothing worse than some [light] room with a plastic lens in it. I understand taking the lens out of remote stations where they are not maintained or protected but at Bodie, they will be taking away the historic significance of the light tower. I don't know why anyone with the Coast Guard would do that -- the lighthouse needs repairs and restoration so I can understand taking it out and then putting it back."
Walters said that the Coast Guard has not had much success in returning lens to original sites after refurbishing.
"We have modern optics that can replace it -- similar to what is at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse," said Walters.
The notice announcing the intent to remove the light states that comments will be accepted until June 1, however, the comments sought are in relation to the use of the beacon by mariners.
Walters said that general public comments unrelated to the operation of the beacon will be considered when it comes time to decide how to dispose of the lens.
Part of that discussion will be what is the most appropriate venue for the lens, who can provide maintenance, and who has the money to care for it, said Walters. "One of the best places might be at the lighthouse keepers house there. There will be various alternatives to answer what happens to the lens."
But while Coast Guard officials are still using qualifying language when addressing the future of the lighthouse lens, lighthouse supporters are adamant that the lens won't be removed to be sent away from the site.
The news is especially disheartening, said Roberts, in light of the fact that plans for repair and restoration are currently underway for the light tower. In addition, the lighthouse, part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, has been chosen to receive some added support with the creation of an exclusive partnership between Home & Garden Television (HGTV) and The National Trust for Historic Preservation.
"Restore America: A Salute to Preservation" is a new public affairs initiative created to raise awareness and generate support for saving America's most beloved and historic places. Inspired by the popular HGTV series Restore America, the initiative recognizes the restoration efforts at 12 national sites through the network's on-air and on-line programming.
HGTV also is donating $1 million to the National Trust to go toward the restoration and preservation of the selected sites.
"Nothing is going to happen without a fight," said Roberts. "A thousand visitors a day go there and volunteers have spent many hours working there. We won't let the integrity of the light tower be shattered."
"We will support the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society in working to keep the lens in North Carolina and in the tower," said Harrison.
(Sandy Semans can be reached at 480-2234 or email to editor@obsentinel.com)
SANDY SEMANS, SENTINEL STAFF
