As documented in the 2020 book, RECONOMICS: The Path To Resilient Prosperity, many heritage restoration, environmental renewal, climate resilience and economic revitalization efforts fail to achieve their goals because they are done in silos.
That groundbreaking book showed how all of these efforts are usually based on repurposing existing natural, built or socioeconomic assets, renewing them, and reconnecting them to the surrounding environment, so integrating them makes sense. This creates both significant cost savings and powerful synergies.
A small-scale example of such an integrated effort emerged on August 16, 2023 on Long Island, New York, with the reopening of the newly-restored Montauk Point Lighthouse, together with completion of a major coastal resiliency project to protect the historic lighthouse and associated cultural resources.
The landmark, located on the easternmost point of Long Island, underwent an extensive multi-year renovation and will be significantly protected from waves and coastal storms due to a new stone revetment that will prevent erosion and degradation of the site.
“Extreme storms can have a devastating impact on so many communities and resources, especially here at the coastal Montauk Lighthouse complex,” Governor Kathy Hochul said.
“New York State is proud to complete this project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement this critical shoreline resiliency project so that the beautifully renovated lighthouse buildings and grounds are protected and enjoyed for generations to come,” she added.
The project is designed to protect the historic Montauk Point lighthouse, complex, bluff area and associated cultural resources by stabilizing the site and protecting it from future coastal storms.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District Commander Colonel Alexander Young said, “Completion of this project is a major milestone on a number of levels due to the historic nature of the facility and its place in the community as well as American history.”
He continued, “The Montauk Point Lighthouse has a played a key role in serving the maritime community for decades and the work done here by a very talented group of individuals from top to bottom will ensure it remains a symbol of American strength and ingenuity for years to come. I’d like to thank all of our partners at the federal, state, and local levels for their support. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) coastal storm damage risk management project included the reconstruction of approximately 1000 linear feet of stone revetment, including removal and reuse of existing armor stones, and delivery and placement of new armor stones weighing anywhere between 10-20 tons apiece.
Photo of Montauk Point Lighthouse via Pixabay.