Twenty Lighthouses Available Under Preservation Program
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced that 20 lighthouses are under consideration to be transferred at no cost from the Coast Guard to new owners — federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit corporations and community development organizations.
Located in every region of the country, the lighthouses are the second set to be transferred by Norton under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Program, which she launched with six lighthouses in June.
” The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 authorizes the transfer of historic lighthouses and stations. More than 300 lighthouses are under consideration. The law places preservation of the historic light station first and directs federal agencies to work with the U.S. Coast Guard, the General Services Administration and the National Park Service to choose the best stewards for long-term preservation.
If no qualified steward is found, the act authorizes the competitive public sale of the property. Although there are currently no lighthouses being offered for public sale, more may become available in the future through the NHLPA process.
Ultimately, the Secretary of the Interior decides the best possible steward(s) for each lIghthouse. Following today’s announcement, GSA will issue a formal Notice of Availability. Eligible parties have 60 days to submit letters of interest on a particular lighthouse to GSA for consideration. After the 60-day comment period, the National Park Service will send applications to qualified entities.
In June, DOI launched the program from Tybee Island, Ga., by recommending the transfer of six lighthouses, including the Tybee Island light, for their long-term care and visitor enjoyment.
The 20 lighthouses made available are:
WEST COAST
Alaska: Guard Island Light Sentinel Island Light
California: Pigeon Point Light Point Sur Light
Hawaii: Molokai (Kalaupapa) Light
Washington: Grays Harbor (Westport) Light West Point Light
NEW ENGLAND
Connecticut: New London Harbor Light
Massachusetts: Baker’s Island Light
Rhode Island: Conimicut Shoal Light
MIDWEST
Michigan: Gull Rock Light
Seul St. Marie (Pipe Island) Light
St. James River (Beaver Harbor) Light
MID ATLANTIC
Delaware: Harbor of Refuge Breakwater Light
Maryland: Craighill Channel Lower Range Lights
Thomas Point Shoal Light
Virginia: Newport News Middle Ground Light
GULF COAST
Louisiana: New Canal Light
SOUTHEAST
Georgia: St. Simons Island Light
North Carolina: Currituck Beach Light-no new applications being accepted
