This Land, Your Land

Cape Lookout National Seashore has selected a contractor to perform the repairs necessary to make the lighthouse safe enough for the public to climb on a regular basis. Completion of the work is anticipated sometime this summer, a news release says.

The Seashore is also looking at what it needs to charge climbers to recoup part of the expense of staffing and custodial maintenance. Officials are proposing a fee like the one charged to climb the lighthouse at Cape Hatteras National Seashore - $8 for adults and $4 for ages 8 - 12 and 62 and older.

Plans are to have the tower open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from May until the end of September each year, though it will open later this year. Currently, it is only open four days a year.

A public meeting for comments about the proposed fee is scheduled for the Duke Marine Lab auditorium from 7 to 8 p.m. March 26.

Until April 14, comments may be sent to Cape Lookout National Seashore, Lighthouse Fee Comments, 131 Charles Street, Harkers Island, North Carolina 28531, or they may be e-mailed to Wouter_Ketel@nps.gov.