The bill provides an opportunity for lighthouse friends groups to receive at no cost surplus historic lighthouses, to ensure the maintenance and preservation of these structures. The bill, besides giving lighthouse friends groups first dibs to participate in the takeover of properties, calls for the lighthouses to revert to the national government if preservation efforts by local groups ever fail.
Lighthouses truly are among the most romantic reminders of our country's maritime heritage.
The bill, slightly different from a Murkowski measure that passed the Senate in 1998, would allow for the sale of surplus lighthouses when no entity steps forward to help preserve the structures. It earmarks any profits from such a sale by the General Services Administration to the National Maritime Heritage Grant Program. Cape Hinchinbrook, tip of Hinchinbrook Island, entrance to Prince William Sound. Cape St. Elias, tip of Kayak Island, in Gulf of Alaska, southeast of Cordova. Eldred Rock, in Lynn Canal in Southeast, south of Haines.