Borden Flats

Mr. Gabriel is actually quite a nice guy. Re: the tug he bought, along with a barge. He plans on offering it to non-profit groups to use as a way to assist in preserving the offshore lighthouses.

by **Grover1** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:32 pm

From The Herald News

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/local_ne ... lighthouse

by **Keeper** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:30 am

From the text of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000:

"The eligible entity to which the historic light station is conveyed under this section shall make the historic light station available for education, park, recreation, cultural or historic preservation purposes for the general public at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions."

From what I've seen, most of the people who have bought lighthouses sold at auction through the NHLPA have ignored the issue of public access. I suppose one could argue that the conditions at an offshore lighthouse like Borden Flats are not "reasonable" for public access.

by **island** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:10 am

'"--available for education, park, recreation, cultural or historic preservation purposes for the general public at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions."

This can be met by having an "event" at this lighthouse with a few "general public" people at a time once or twice a year and access to the facility does require providing transportation to and from this lighthouse.

by **LighthouseNews** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:13 am

Keeper, I believe that section only applies to lighthouses transferred to municipalities or non-profits. Once it's determined nobody wants it under the NHLPA, it goes to auction, where there is no such requirement, other than what's mandated by state historical standards. But there is no requirement for public access or education to the private owners.

Some, however, want to make them available, as I understand Lubec Channel Light might be someday.

by **Keeper** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:21 pm

Actually, the same rules apply in theory to private owners. From the Act:

"-In the event no applicants are approved for the conveyance of a historic light station pursuant to section 308, the historic light station shall be offered for sale. Terms of such sales shall be developed by the Administrator of General Services and consistent with the requirements of section 308, subparagraphs (A) through (D) and (H) of subsection (c)(1), and subsection (c)(2)."

That includes the section I quoted above.

There's nothing on this subject in the "invitation for bids" for the auctions posted by the GSA, however. In any case, I find it sad that the lighthouses sold under this process are becoming the private playgrounds of the buyers and their families. The flip side of that, of course, is that it's better that they be preserved for private use than not preserved at all.

by **ericlighthouse** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:10 pm

Some times private ownership is good.
Cape Florida Lighthouse would likely be underwater if it had not been previously under private ownership.
He put in a sea wall when the land near the lighthouse was washing away.
He later gave it to the state, so now the public can see and climb it.

That said if and when the Florida Reef Lights come up, I hope the Florida Keys Reef Lights Foundation will be in position to become owners.

by **epona** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:34 am

These recent posting are making me realize how very little knowledge I have on this topic. I want to learn more.

Borden Flats

Who is online