Nantucket Erosion Battle: Vandalism Targets $18M Bluff Protection Effort
A conflict has erupted in Siasconset, Nantucket, between wealthy homeowners attempting to save their cliffside properties from erosion and local year-round residents who believe nature should take its course. The tension escalated after a vandal slashed a 947-foot sand-filled tube barrier designed to protect the bluff, causing approximately $18 million in damage with an additional $2 million needed for repairs. This incident has intensified the dispute, leading to a $10,000 reward for information regarding the perpetrator. The affected enclave on Baxter Road includes homes owned by prominent figures such as members of the Hearst and Soros families. While property owners are fighting to preserve their assets, locals argue against human interference with natural coastal processes.
Wire timeline
Nantucket Erosion Battle: Vandalism Targets $18M Bluff Protection Effort
A conflict has erupted in Siasconset, Nantucket, between wealthy homeowners attempting to save their cliffside properties from erosion and local year-round residents who believe nature should take its course. The tension escalated after a vandal slashed a 947-foot sand-filled tube barrier designed to protect the bluff, causing approximately $18 million in damage with an additional $2 million needed for repairs. This incident has intensified the dispute, leading to a $10,000 reward for information regarding the perpetrator. The affected enclave on Baxter Road includes homes owned by prominent figures such as members of the Hearst and Soros families. While property owners are fighting to preserve their assets, locals argue against human interference with natural coastal processes.
WSJ.com: Real Estate