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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 City of Savannah 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 14915 Coffee Bluff Rd, Savannah, Forest River, Chatham County, Georgia.
The existing commercial marina facility was authorized under CMPA Permit #678 on February 15, 2018, and consists of floating docks, a hoist, bulkhead, riprap, observation pier, a kayak launch and a series of connected floats that serve as a wave attenuator while providing ingress/egress into the marina and mooring area. Water, electric, fuel and pump out service is also authorized for the facility. The existing structure extends approximately 200ft. into the Forest River at a point where the waterway is approximately 600ft. from Mean Low Water (MLW) to MLW. Total impacts to jurisdictional coastal marshlands of the existing project total approximately 16,930sq.ft. (0.39 acre). The facility currently has a valid waterbottoms lease.
The applicant is proposing the construction and maintenance of one (1) interior floating dock section that was previously authorized under CMPC Permit #678 but not constructed. The interior mooring space will provide at least eight (8) additional mooring spaces and will consist of one (1) 10ft. x 105ft. access float (1,050sq.ft. or 0.024 acre) that will include eight (8) 8ft. x 31ft. finger floats (1,984sq.ft. or 0.046 acre) with sixteen (16) 25sq.ft. (400sq.ft. or 0.009 acre) corner triangle sections. Total impacts associated with reauthorizing the interior mooring space totals 3,434sq.ft. (0.079 acre).
The existing kayak launch will be removed. To address erosion at the existing kayak launch site, a 2ft. x 40ft. concrete headwall (80sq.ft. or 0.002 acre) with associated riprap (320sq. ft. or 0.007 acre) will be installed. A new 16ft. x 31ft. kayak launch (496sq.ft. or 0.011 acre) will be installed seaward of the existing hoist. Additionally, the applicant is requesting a 7ft. x 21ft. floating service dock (147sq.ft or 0.003 acre) associated with the existing hoist. The applicant is also requesting authorization for 221sq.ft (0.005 acre) of existing impacts associated with the existing observation pier. Total impacts associated with the proposed modifications are 4,698sq.ft. (0.108 acre).
Total impacts for the proposed modifications and the existing facility are approximately 21,628sq.ft. or 0.497 acre.
The applicant has stated that the proposed 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.
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 January 3, 2019 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, 185 Richard Davis Drive, Suite 104, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324.
Click here for Project Application
Click here for Project Description
