NPS Seeks Input on Ocracoke Light Station

There will be two public meetings next month for Cape Hatteras National Seashore staff to hear site preservation ideas for the Ocracoke Light Station.

Staff is seeking input on how to sustainably preserve the historic resources at the Ocracoke Light Station in the wake of recent storm damage and in consideration of future impacts from climate change and sea level rise, while providing visitor access to the site.

The in-person meeting will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 6, at Berkley Barn at Berkley Manor, 58 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke. If the ferry isn’t running due to inclement weather, the in-person meeting will be rescheduled for a later date.

The virtual meeting is from 6-7 p.m. Monday, May 10. Use the online meeting link to view the online presentation from computer or smartphone.
Audio Only, call 202-640-1187, 38403551#, the best option for people with poor or no internet coverage. Audio-only attendees will not be able to view the presentation.

The following are potential site preservation ideas that will be presented at the meetings:

• Option 1: Repair storm damage and preserve site as is.
• Option 2: Repair storm damage, replace existing shotcrete at lighthouse with historic parge coat, and elevate all structures, except the lighthouse.
• Option 3: Rehabilitate to 1823 site by removing the keeper’s quarters 1929 addition and restore or rehabilitate the keeper’s quarters using as many original features such as brick from the house as possible; restore the light station structures and site to the 1823-1854 period of interpretation; and elevate all structures, except the lighthouse. Restoration to the 1823-1854 period of interpretation would include replacing existing shotcrete at lighthouse with historic parge coat and exposing original stone foundation at lighthouse, replacing existing metal spiral stair case with historically accurate wood staircase and removing other structures except for the 1823 privy.
• Option 4: Relocate the lighthouse and the keeper’s quarters to a higher elevation, more storm- and flood-resistant location on Ocracoke Island.

The public is invited to submit comments on the preservation ideas until May 28.

Once a range of preservation ideas are gained and refined through the public meetings, the seashore will move to the next phase, which will include assessing compliance needs under the National Historic Preservation Act, National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental regulations, according to the National Park Service.