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This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from the Department of the Navy for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to relocate the North Port Security Barrier located on the Cumberland River, Camden County, Georgia. The proposed project is under 1/10 of an acre, and therefore may be considered a minor alteration of coastal marshlands under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq.
The applicant proposes to relocate the existing Port Security Barrier (PSB), which extends approximately 2009 linear feet, to the north of its current location to connect to the recently completed land-water interface terminals. The PSB is made up of individual floating units that are 50ft. long and support an 8ft. tall fence that begins approximately 1ft. above the water. Each PSB unit impacts approximately 105sq.ft. of tidal water bottoms. The applicant proposes to move thirty-three (33) of the existing PSB units north to the new location via barge mounted crane for a total of 3,465sq.ft. of impacts over 1650 linear feet for the floating component of the PSB.
The individual floating units will be connected to each other using an assortment of connectors to form the PSB. The PSB will be moored to the land-water interface and the bed of the river by three different components, including ten (10) 7.5-ton anchors that will each impact approximately 50sq.ft. of tidal water bottoms, and twenty (20) 3,600lb. sinkers that impact approximately 9sq.ft. of tidal water bottoms each. The PSB will be secured to the to the land-water interface via two (2) concrete dolphins on each end. The impacts of the PSB mooring system will total 880sq.ft.
As proposed the project will impact approximately 4,345 square feet (0.09- acres) of coastal marshlands.
There is no upland component associated with the proposed project.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that the project is not contrary to the public interest and that no feasible alternative sites exist. Impacts to coastal marshlands must be minimal in size. In passing upon the application for permit, the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee shall consider the public interest: (1) Whether or not unreasonably harmful obstruction to or alteration of the natural flow of navigational water within the affected area will arise as a result of the proposal; (2) Whether or not unreasonably harmful or increased erosion, shoaling of channels, or stagnant areas of water will be created; and (3) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicants proposal will unreasonably interfere with the conservation of fish, shrimp, oysters, crabs, clams, or other marine life, wildlife, or other resources, including but not limited to water and oxygen supply.
A detailed public notice with drawings has been distributed and is available by visiting the Department of Natural Resources website: CoastalGaDNR.org under “Marsh & Shore Permits”
Please provide this office with substantive, site-specific comments as to why the proposed work should or should not proceed. Comments and questions concerning this proposed project should be submitted in writing and be submitted by the close of business on March 17, 2019 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, 1 Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.
Click here for the Project Application
Click here for the Project Description
