One Storm Away

The forces of erosion loom large - and more than one house could lie just a storm away from the ocean's all-consuming power.

What is coastal erosion doing?

17 December 2024 -- WELLFLEET, MA -- Cape Cod has been telling the story of erosion for thousands of year​s. ​LCTV interviewed Coastal Geologist Mark Borrelli from the Center for Coastal Studies​, who explains how erosion works within the unique geology of the Cape. One house in particular may be ​just one storm away from seeing the consequences of building on the coast.

What is an example of erosion in action?

For thousands of years Cape Cod has been the palette upon which the seas have painted the story of erosion. According to Coastal Geologist Mark Borrelli from the Center for Coastal Studies, one Wellfleet house in particular may be just a single storm away from seeing the consequences of building on the coast - and this house forms a case study for how erosion moves relentlessly.

What is the history of the house?

The Wellfleet property, once owned by Mark and Barbara Blasch, was built in 2010 - less than 15 years ago. It drew attention not just for its size and location but for its vulnerability. Situated just north of the narrow strip of sand known as "The Gut," the house has been fighting an ongoing battle with the forces of nature since the day it was built.

The coastal bank beneath the property has eroded at an accelerated rate of six to seven feet per year, according to a 2020 estimate. Now, the foundation of the house lies mere inches from the eroding edge, and the prospect of continued coastal erosion raises questions about its future; on the bluff or in the sea. 

What fight have the homeowners made against erosion?

Despite what appears to be dire circumstances for the house's future the owners (first the Blasches, then John Bonomi Jr.)  have been pursuing various ways to stabilize the property. None of these options has been more controversial than a proposed rock revetment.

The proposed seawall-like structure intended to protect the house from the inevitable erosion of the bank was repeatedly rejected by the Wellfleet Conservation Commission - and according to coastal geologist Mark Borrelli - it was rejected for good scientific reasons. The commission's decision to deny the rock revetment a second time was recently upheld in court by Barnstable County Superior Court Judge Michael K. Callan on October 2, 2024.  Sea walls provide protection for a home owners property but end up negatively impacting their neighbor's property where the energy of the water is redirected.

Why was a revetment rejected?

The Blasches first requested permission to construct a 241-foot rock revetment in December 2018, but their request was denied. Coastal Geologist, Mark Borelli explained that redirecting the energy of the water not only impacts neighboring properties, but can also accelerate the loss of beach. A revetment doesn't actually stop erosion.

 In 2021, despite an appeal, the Wellfleet Conservation Commission again refused to approve the plan. The reasoning behind the rejection was twofold: first, there were alternative solutions available, including the possibility of moving the house back from the bank, and second, the rock revetment could disrupt the natural flow of water and sand, potentially causing more harm than good to the surrounding ecosystem.

Borrelli agreed, saying that particular stretch of land provides a "source" of sand for other parts of the Cape's coastline.

How did the legal battle over the revetment end?

The legal battle continued. In February 2019, attorney James Hoeland filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Blasch family trust against the conservation commission. Despite selling the house to Bonomi in 2021, the lawsuit continued under the new owner.

On October 16, 2024, the decision was appealed once more and this time, according to local media sources, the owner is required to either move the house or demolish it. The property now sits in limbo, with no clear resolution on the horizon. As of late November 2024, the house is no longer listed for sale.

What is the science behind  erosion?

So why is this property so vulnerable to erosion, and why is the revetment such a controversial solution? Borrelli explained that the location of the house virtually guarantees an erosion problem.

The nearby “Gut” is what is called a "nodal point for high-velocity water flow" - in other words. the site sits adjacent to a spot on the coast where currents split and carry sand in different directions. This means that sand gets pulled away from the area without being replaced, leading to inevitable erosion along the coastal bank.

The Blasches' initial efforts to combat erosion involved dumping large amounts of sand in front of the property, a method known as "sacrificial sand." From 2013 to 2019, the couple placed over 5,000 cubic yards of sand at the base of the bank. Soon after that sand was washed away, making the strategy largely ineffective .

What is the current status of the house at 1440 Chequessett Neck Road?

Currently, the property stands teetering on the edge of its own destiny.  Since the last appeal for a stone revetment was denied in October 2024, the owners are required to remove the structure or demolish it. The turret on the house was removed but no further action has been taken.