State, federal officials stall efforts to save lighthouse

CHARLESTON, S.C. - A group working to save the Morris Island Lighthouse from crumbling into the sea says the landmark's survival is at risk because of disagreements between the state and federal governments.

"Our fear is they could be sitting around and haggling ... and the lighthouse will probably be in the Atlantic Ocean," said former state Sen. Ernie Passailaigue, who is heading fund-raising efforts for the lighthouse.

The main sticking point deals with a disagreement about liability issues between the state, which owns the lighthouse, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which would be involved in the preservation effort.

The corps wants an agreement that would remove its liability in the event of an accident, something the state is unwilling to do, said Passailaigue.

John Frampton, director of the state's Department of Natural Resources, said that the state cannot afford to assume that liability.

"The reality is, with the state's financial situation, we've got to minimize the risk for DNR," he said. "We're optimistic that we're going to be able to work through this."

Both state and federal officials say they are trying to resolve the issue.

Time, Passailaigue says, is of the essence.

A study of the 158-foot-tall beacon revealed that the wooden pilings it rests on are worm-eaten and weakening. There is no guarantee that the structure, completed in 1876, will continue to withstand the water that surrounds it.

The lighthouse at the south end of Charleston Harbor stands in several feet of water at low tide. When built, it stood 1,200 feet from shore on high ground. But Morris Island eroded after the harbor jetties were built in the late 19th century.

The light was abandoned in 1962 when a new lighthouse started operating on Sullivans Island on the opposite side of the harbor.

It's expected to cost about $5 million to restore the light. The plan is to build a concrete, steel and rock base to strengthen its foundation.

"Our congressional delegation is going to have to get involved," he said. "It can be done. It's just going to require some political influence," Passailaigue said.

Lighthouse backers say the window of opportunity for starting the work this year has been lost. Weather is a factor, and the work needs to be done in spring and summer, they say. It's too late to get things moving this year, so the goal is to start work next year.

The work would protect the lighthouse with a circle of metal sheets, around which large boulders would be placed. Ultimately, concrete would be poured into the circle.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.charleston.net