Cong. Keating Trying to Preserve Martha’s Vineyard Lighthouse

Natural forces are threatening an historic Massachusetts landmark, and at least one politician is looking to preserve it.

Congressman William Keating has sent a letter to Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Papp, asking that he mark the Gay Head Light tower on Martha's Vineyard as surplus land.

The declaration would be the first step in transferring the lighthouse to a local entity in accordance with the National Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

The 19th century lighthouse stands only fifty feet from approaching cliffs, with erosion eating away two feet per year. Keating says if Gay Head Light is not relocated, Martha's Vineyard will lose an historic emblem within just a few short years.