This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Cynthia R. Mullins for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to change the use of an existing private single-family recreational dock facility to a community dock facility located on Turners Creek, Chatham 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 existing private single-family recreational dock originates from Lot C of a Recombination of Lots A, B, & C of the Easterly Portions of Hammock “C”, 5^th G.M. District, Whitmarsh Island, Chatham County, Georgia. The dock consists of a 5.7ft. x 115.5ft. walkway with a 77.5sq.ft. irregularly shaped section of walkway on the landward side. The walkway leads from the upland to a 25.3ft. x 15.6ft. fixed deck. A 2.7ft. x 24.9ft. gangway extends channelward from the right side of the fixed deck to access an irregularly shaped 762sq.ft. concrete floating dock. A 2.0ft. x 20.7ft. gangway provides access to an irregularly shaped 496sq.ft. floating dock located between the seaward most float and the fixed deck. The floats both run parallel to the channel and extend approximately 46ft. into Turners Creek at a location where it is approximately 248ft. wide at Mean Low Water (MLW). There are existing docks located approximately 376ft. to the left and approximately 1,007ft. to the right. There is also a 100.4 linear ft. bulkhead on the property.  

The applicant proposes to change the use of the private single-family recreational dock to a community dock.  The dock facility will accommodate the owners of Lots A, B, and C within a Recombination of Lots A, B, & C of the Easterly Portions of Hammock “C”, 5^th G.M. District, Whitmarsh Island, Chatham County, Georgia.

In addition to the change of use, the applicant proposes to construct a roof over the existing fixed deck. The proposed roof will not increase the impacts to coastal marshlands and will not be constructed greater than 12ft. above the existing decking.

The existing dock impacts approximately 2,497 square feet (0.06 acres) of coastal marshlands. There is no net increase of impacts associated with the proposed project.

The upland component consists of an existing 1,373sq.ft. gravel turnaround area for parking and access to the walkway. There are no proposed changes to the upland component.

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.
 
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 January 10, 2018 to Paul D. Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, 1 Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.

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