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Removal of 6 structures from North Beach Island, Chatham, MA
Cape Cod National Seashore » Removal of 6 structures from North Beach Island, Chatham, MA » Document List
Remove and dispose of the five houses owned by the National Park Service (NPS) known as the Bloomer, Carroll, Crowell, Dubis and Lumpkin cottages, complete and in their entirety, from the north end of North Beach Island in Chatham, MA. A small NPS-owned shed (approximately 10' X 12') on the eastern shore of the island that is currently used by the Town may also be included in the removal contract. Demolition may be preceeded by burning of one or more of the structures. The structures are at risk of substantial property damage during coastal storms, including powerful "northeasters" and hurricanes, so elimination of hazards to the structures, and to public safety and navigation will result from the project.
North Beach Island is a rapidly eroding sand barrier beach island recently separated from the mainland at Nauset Beach. The beach, dune and coastal bank landforms are migrating. Site conditions change with each tidal cycle. Some offshore areas are very shallow, while others drop off to depth quickly. The island is eroding at approximately 80 feet per year in some areas and is fully exposed to the forces of any storms. Because of the rapid rate of erosion, the NPS plans to remove these five houses and one shed before they are destroyed by wave action or storms.
There is no alternative to this action that is environmentally responsible – the structures will not last in such a vulnerable, rapidly eroding environment. If the structures are not lost to storms and are not removed prior to being surrounded by water, then access and permitting restrictions would make the removal more difficult and the project more damaging to the environment.
All five houses and the shed were rebuilt on pilings in the early 1990s after being destroyed during the No Name Storm of 1991. The scope of work is being refined, and work protocols will be finalized prior to the structure removal.
The NPS preferred timetable for this activity is between November 2011 - January 15, 2012.
North Beach Island is a rapidly eroding sand barrier beach island recently separated from the mainland at Nauset Beach. The beach, dune and coastal bank landforms are migrating. Site conditions change with each tidal cycle. Some offshore areas are very shallow, while others drop off to depth quickly. The island is eroding at approximately 80 feet per year in some areas and is fully exposed to the forces of any storms. Because of the rapid rate of erosion, the NPS plans to remove these five houses and one shed before they are destroyed by wave action or storms.
There is no alternative to this action that is environmentally responsible – the structures will not last in such a vulnerable, rapidly eroding environment. If the structures are not lost to storms and are not removed prior to being surrounded by water, then access and permitting restrictions would make the removal more difficult and the project more damaging to the environment.
All five houses and the shed were rebuilt on pilings in the early 1990s after being destroyed during the No Name Storm of 1991. The scope of work is being refined, and work protocols will be finalized prior to the structure removal.
The NPS preferred timetable for this activity is between November 2011 - January 15, 2012.