 |
 |
|
|
[From March-April-May 1993]
As most of us know, this past year has produced an
abundance of storms, with Assateague getting its share of direct
hits. The now infamous January 4, 1992, nor'easter caused
extensive damage to manmade structures leaving eroded beach
front, salt intrusion in impoundments, thoroughly breached dunes,
buried parking lots, and damaged structures. In May, 1992,
another storm hit the coast, "adding insult to injury,"
and again caused continued damage. As a result of these storms,
the western toe of the dune in the developed area of Toms Cove
was only 10 feet from the National Park Service's Visitor Center.
On December 14, 1992, Mother Nature struck again with yet another storm. The already weakened dune in front of the visitor center collapsed, depositing tons of sand around the building, while waves actually washed against the building during the peak of high tide. The National Park Service was faced with an emergency situation. The visitor center needed to be moved before the next storm or it would probably be lost.
Preparation to move the building took a couple of weeks, being delayed by bad weather, but it was finally moved from the temporarily repaired dune on January 11. Its new location is approximately 450 feet to the southwest in the shell area of parking lot#2 near the traffic circle.
To provide a wider beach, the dune line has been moved westward. Sections of black-top in parking lots#l-#3 have been removed and the dune pushed back 40-50 feet. In addition, the spur road leading from lot#3 to lot#4 and parking lot#4 has been moved westward 100-125 feet. Despite the removal of some black-top, the overall number of parking spaces will not be reduced. Compensation for these spaces will be made by adding parking spaces to lot#3 in front of the amphitheater and lot#4, and by providing additional spaces where the visitor center once stood.
Finally, the wooden steps and platforms will be reconstructed to provide easy access to the beach and to help prevent human caused erosion of the newly relocated and rebuilt dunes. Sand fence will be placed along the dune line and beach grass will be planted which will help protect the developed areas.
The Toms Cove Visitor Center should be reopened to the public by Memorial Day, or sooner, if possible. Until then, a temporary visitor contact station is being maintained in a trailer located in parking lot#2 adjacent to the bathhouse. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We need to keep in mind that sand movement due to storm activity is a very natural process to barrier islands. However, let's hope Mother Nature is a little more kind to our developed areas in 1993.
Tracy Ammerman
NPS District Naturalist
Home
/ About the Association / Membership Information / The Piping Plover
Mail
Order / Index / Web Port