Cattle Point Lighthouse Repairs

The Cattle Point Lighthouse will be lifted up so that a new foundation can be built underneath – Louise Dustrude photo

Story by Louise Dustrude…

Work is under way on repairs to the Cattle Point Lighthouse under a contract between the Coast Guard and Vet Industrial of Bremerton.

Over the years erosion of the surrounding sand dunes has exposed and undermined the foundation of the lighthouse, leaving the stability of the historic building at risk.

The foundation will be rebuilt and the surrounding area will be regraded to properly support the building. Native vegetation will then be replanted around the lighthouse and in the areas disturbed by construction.

Vet Industrial has subcontracted with a San Juan Islands native plants restoration business to ensure that the best choices are made with regard to seasonality and locally sourced plant and seed stock, according to Marcia deChadenedes, San Juan Island National Monument Manager.

Marcia added, “It is so inspiring to see the federal investment in the repairs and restoration of such a significant element of the San Juan Islands maritime heritage. We figure more than 50,000 people visit the light annually, and it is a featured landmark on the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway.”

The contract calls for construction to be completed by September 25, but the protective fences will remain after that for as much as a year to protect the new vegetation while it gets established.

Nick Teague, a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) outdoor recreation planner living on Lopez, said, “I believe this is going to be a highly beneficial project and we’ll have one nice-looking lighthouse, repaired and shining its bright light into the future.  A big thank you to the community and the Coast Guard for making this a priority.”

The lighthouse is Coast Guard property, but the public land between the road and the lighthouse belongs to the BLM, and the American Camp boundary is just about 1500 feet to the west.

The disturbance of the area will be temporary. The Coast Guard is consulting with the BLM and the National Park Service to ensure that the revegetation of the project area is appropriate and sustainable.

The public will be able to watch the project — from outside the fence — as the contractors lift the lighthouse up off the ground to pour the new foundation.

And the BLM is helping to start a Friends of Cattle Point Light, to help locals tell the story of the area. Folks should email Nick Teague, [email protected] to learn more.

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