Bull River Marina Enterprises LLC, Modification of an Existing Commercial Marina Facility, 8005 US Hwy 80 E, Bull River, Chatham County, Georgia

Chatham

This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Bull River Marina Enterprises, LLC for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) Permit under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq. to modify and maintain an existing commercial marina facility at 8005 US Hwy 80 E, Bull River, Chatham County, Georgia. The proposed modification is less than 1/10 of an acre and is considered a minor alteration of coastal marshlands under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq.

The existing commercial marina facility was constructed in 1986 and modified under CMPA Permit #693. The full service live-aboard marina provides mooring, bait, ship store, transient boater services, water, electric, fuel and pump-out services. It consists of a 12ft. x 400ft. elevated walkway, a 16.6ft. x19.5ft. fixed deck, a 78sq.ft utility platform, a 59ft. x 41ft. enclosed structure, and a 6ft. x 40ft. ramp leading to an 8ft. x 190ft. access float. West of the access float are four (4) 8ft. x 40ft. floats, one (1) 4ft. x 30ft. float, one (1) 11ft. x 12ft. floating watercraft lift, and one (1) 9ft. x 12ft. floating covered bait station. To the east of the access float are one (1) 8ft. x 240ft. float, one (1) 8ft. x 392ft. float and one (1) 8ft. x 200ft. float. The most seaward float is 8ft. x 467ft. The most landward float has eighteen (18) existing floating watercraft lifts, including: nine (9) 6ft. x 12.5ft. small floats; seven (7) 7ft. x 14ft. floats, one (1) 9ft. x 20ft float, and one (1) 11.5ft. x 25ft. float. The existing structure extends approximately 237ft. into the Bull River at a point where the waterway is approximately 742ft. from Mean Low Water (MLW) to MLW.  Total impacts to jurisdictional coastal marshlands of the existing project total approximately 23,241.2 sq.ft.(0.534 acre).  The facility currently has a valid waterbottoms lease.

The applicant is proposing the modification and maintenance of two (2) interior floating dock sections. An extension of the most landward float will measure 8ft. x 50ft. and an extension of a middle float (currently at 200ft.) will measure 8ft. X 206ft. One (1) 9ft. x 20ft., one (1) 10ft. x 25ft. and eight (8) 9.5ft. x 18ft. floating watercraft lifts will be added to the most landward floating dock. Total impacts associated with the proposed modifications are 3,846sq.ft. (0.088 acre). Total impacts for the proposed modifications and the existing facility are approximately 26,907.2sq.ft. or 0.618 acre.

The applicant has stated that the modification to the existing facility does not contain an 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 applicant’s 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 Division’s website: CoastalGaDNR.org under “Marsh & Shore Permits”.

Please provide this office with substantive, project-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 by the close of business July 6, 2019 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, 185 Richard Davis Drive, Suite 104, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324.

Click here for the Project Application

Click here for the Project Description

Click here for the Project Drawings

Click here for the Public Notice