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Blizzard Of '15 Takes Out Nauset Light Beach Staircase At Cape Cod National Seashore

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The "Blizzard of '15" that ran up the New England coast earlier this week generated an overwash at the Ballston Beach on Cape Cod National Seashore/Patrick Burns via NPS

Well, time again to order a new set of beach access stairs for Nauset Light Beach at Cape Cod National Seashore. The staircase, which was replaced in 2013 after a winter storm, was taken out by the "Blizzard of '15," according to Seashore Superintendent George Price.

"So far we do know we lost the stairs at Nauset Light Beach and suffered damage to the Herring Cove Beach North parking lot," the superintendent said Wednesday via email.

Surviving the storm, though, were the beach access stairs at Marconi Beach that were constructed after an older staircase was destroyed by the Blizzard of '13 that had taken out the Nauset Light Beach staircase.

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The Marconi Beach staircase after this week's snowstorm/NPS
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This staircase, built at Nauset Light Beach after the old one was destroyed by the Blizzard of '13, was taken out by this week's blizzard/NPS

This week's blizzard really changed the setting at the national seashore, and had some rangers taking to cross-country skis to get around.

"National seashore staff continue the process of digging out and assessing for damage--no small task, considering the numerous operational facilities spread across four towns," a post on the Seashore's Facebook page said. "We're checking and clearing snow from ranger stations and visitor centers, employee housing and maintenance yards, public restrooms and bathhouses, laboratories, parking lots, roads, and historic buildings. Salt Pond Visitor Center and park headquarters in Wellfleet will remain closed on Thursday while staff plow parking lots and clear walkways and building entrances. A ranger will ski into Marconi Beach to assess damage to the stairs and bathhouse."

 

 

Comments

Experience has clearly shown such structures are at risk of loss, so should they be replaced? Yes - it's a tradeoff of sorts to allow for public access to the beach while minimizing damage to the dunes themselves. Without stairs, people will make their own paths to the beach, resulting in a "cut" in the dunes, which can lead to a "blowout" of the dune, and loss of a much larger section of the dune. 


I'm put in mind of a favorite establishment, Tisa's Barefoot Bar in Alega cove, American Samoa. Built without walls and open to the ocean, Tisa's has been through multiple cyclones, and several times has essentially been washed out to sea. The basic building is sturdy and not at risk, though, and although they might tie the roof down in a bad storm, they are usually able to find the furnishings washed up on other beaches nearby and be open the next morning.


the federal government. Uncle Sam will save us!

Exactly Alfred, federal flood insurance, another example of the government perverting the market for the worse.  If the goverment had not stepped in, the private insurance would have been so expensive, people would not have built to the extent they have right on the coasts, shores, river banks et al. 


Speaking of cyclones washing everything out to sea, that's the way Seattle feels this morning. Ugh! What a dumb call! Kurt, you didn't know you had a sports page, did you? Our offensive coordinator is on his way to that bar in Samoa right now.


An utterly inexplicable call.  The worst play call in NFL history.  Feel so bad for the players.


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