Nov 30, 2008 5:18 pm US/Eastern
Plum Island Looks For Solution To Beach Erosion
PLUM ISLAND (WBZ) ―
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The home collapsed onto the beach with the help of machinery late Wednesday afternoon.
WBZ
Erosion has slowly carved away the shoreline, weakening some waterfront properties. And after a powerful storm last week, Geraldine's Buzotta's home became a casualty.
"I'm homeless... I have no home."
Sandbags are in place to keep the ocean's tide from sweeping away more of the shoreline. And more sandbags are scheduled to be brought in this week.
The sandbags are only the beginning of a project to prevent more erosion along the shores of Plum Island. The homes are
in danger of collapsing, but officials are also worried about water and sewer line.
"I've been here all my life," said Ronald Barrett of the Plum Island Taxpayers Association. "Seen a lot of houses go out… But we're getting closer to the road now."
Barrett has helped organize the town's projects to deal with erosion. He says maintenance of the shoreline was once handled by the Army Corp of Engineers, but budget cuts put an end to that. "If we can get on a long-term plan of dredging river, we could save the island for now," explains Barrett.
It's a plan that will take millions of dollars -- a costly battle to keep the forces of nature from threatening this oceanfront community.
Barrett also hopes residents think twice before walking onto the beach. The town is working on a project to bring beachgoers safely onto the shore without causing more erosion with their tracks.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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