Mar 15, 2008 11:31 am US/Eastern
Plum Island Beach At Risk Of Washing Away
PLUM ISLAND, Mass. (WBZ) ―
Erosion has become such a dire problem on Plum Island that officials are considering closing off portions to beachgoers this summer.
Plum Island homeowners and businesses alike are also worried about the future of their property.
More than 1,200 homes are in danger of not only losing their front yards but also the main access road to this island. And it's all because whenever there is a storm the beach erodes.
Plum Island's northern edge is just a couple of miles from the New Hampshire border. Resident Dave Reardin says as peaceful as his view is, the ocean can be a scary place.
"You enjoy it but you realize you're one storm away from not having a house," Reardin said.
That's because the beach he lives on is eroding rapidly. Many residents fear the beach, along with their homes and dreams, will one day wash away.
"I lived here my whole life," said Ronald Barrett. "I love this beach. I met my wife here."
Barrett is with the Plum Island Taxpayers Association. Two years ago he says the homes had more then 270 feet of beach front property.
"Now as of this morning we're back underneath that deck," he said.
The problem is too many storms.
"If you have two to three nor'easters in a row, you take out the beach no matter what," Barrett said.
All winter long this place has been hit hard by nor'easters. As a temporary fix they've built sand dunes.
"But if we loose this we loose the island because that road right there would turn us into a river going right up to Newburyport," Barrett said.
"The main thing is we need to get more sand on this beach to protect the houses the investment and the dunes that are here now," said Newburyport Mayor John Moak.
Mayor Moak says they have no plans of closing the beach. They just need to keep residents off these fragile dunes.
"That's what's going to hold back the water," he said.
In case it doesn't, Reardin said he is protecting his investment -- a new rose bush.
"I'm afraid next storm will take it away so I wanted to save it (and) move it closer inland," he said.
The bad news is when the next big storm hits, the sand dune will be destroyed. Right now they are working on a long term beach re-nourishment sand to dredge sand from the Merrimack River so they can constantly be putting sand back onto this beach in areas where its needed.
The beach re-nourishment project will cost $2.5 million to complete. The federal government will absorb most of the cost. Right now Plum Island is still awaiting approval from Congress to begin repairs.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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