A coastal home in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, is rapidly eroding, threatening to collapse into the harbor within the next few years. The former owners' attempts to build a seawall were rejected, and the current owner has sold the property to a salvage company that is unwilling to fund its removal. The situation highlights the growing challenges posed by climate change and sea level rise on coastal communities.
A once-grand waterfront home in Wellfleet , Massachusetts, now stands precariously close to collapse, serving as a stark reminder of the relentless impact of climate change on coastal communities. The 5,100-square-foot house, with its expansive deck and private tower, has been steadily eroding since at least 2014, losing 54 feet of bluff to the sea.
The situation has escalated to the point where officials fear the remaining structure could tumble into the harbor within the next three years, potentially even sooner. The former owners, Mark and Barbara Blasch, attempted to mitigate the erosion by seeking permission for a 241-foot-wide seawall, but the Wellfleet Conservation Commission rejected the proposal in 2018, citing concerns about its potential ecological consequences. The National Seashore Administration also supported the rejection due to the property's location within the Cape Cod National Seashore and its proximity to critical habitats and shellfish operations.The house has since changed hands, with John Bonomi, an attorney from New York, purchasing it in 2022 for $5.5 million despite the looming threat. Bonomi initially indicated a willingness to address the issue, promising a plan to mitigate the risks by January 2023. However, in December, his attorney informed the town that Bonomi had sold the property to CQN Salvage, a newly formed company, stating that while they were willing to collaborate with the town, they would not be funding any efforts to prevent the house from collapsing. The current situation leaves the town of Wellfleet facing a dilemma. The estimated cost of removing the house is at least $1 million, a significant expense for a municipality grappling with limited resources. Meanwhile, the threat of the house falling into the harbor remains, potentially endangering the town's thriving oyster industry and causing irreparable damage to the delicate ecosystem. The Wellfleet Conservation Commission has extended the deadline for compliance with its enforcement order to June 1, giving Bonomi's new company more time to formulate a plan. However, the clock is ticking, and the fate of the house, and its potential impact on the community, remains uncertain
Coastal Development Climate Change Climate Change Sea Level Rise Coastal Erosion Wellfleet Cape Cod Oyster Industry Property Development
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