EASTHAM – A loss of about 50 feet of Nauset Light Beach over the last four years is causing the Cape Cod National Seashore to proactively demolish the restroom building, septic system and staircase.
Work is currently underway to take down the building and beach access stairs.
“The reason we have to demolish the stairs to the beach is because the septic tank is so deep that we have to cut back a hole bigger than where the stairs actually go,” said Karst Hogeboom, the chief of facilities for the Cape Cod National Seashore.
“So they have to go, unfortunately, for that.”
Officials have plans to remove the septic system if granted approval from the Conservation Commission in Eastham.
“Once we get the order of conditions from them we would then remove the septic tank,” Hogeboom said.
Seashore officials meet with the commission Tuesday.
Hogeboom said the reason for the demolition is the top of the bluff is getting very close to the facilities.
“We’d much rather remove them in a deliberative fashion rather than have to pull them off the beach after they get washed away in a storm,” he said.
The area historically loses three feet per year in erosion but has recently been called a hotspot by geomorphologists.
Seashore officials have plans to install temporary facilities while trying to secure funding from the National Park Service for a permanent building.
Hogeboom said the public can help by respecting the construction fencing.
“I know they are very interested in what’s going on, but it is unsafe,” he said. “And with the heavy equipment out there they could get hurt if they are in an area where they are not expected. So if they can just respect the signs and respect the fences and we’ll get everything cleaned up as quickly as we can.”
By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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