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This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Anthony A. Guthrie and Shirley A. Guthrie for a Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et. seq. for the construction of an additional rock revetment and repairs and maintenance to a wooden walkway within the State’s SPA jurisdiction, 4342 Sixteenth Street, Lot 6, St. Simons Island, Glynn County, Georgia.
The applicants’ lot totals approximately 12,136sq.ft. (0.28 acres). The area within SPA jurisdiction totals 7,293.6sq.ft. (0.16 acres) and consists of a portion of a single family residence (1,715.3sq.ft.), a portion of a pool and pool deck (1,246.2sq.ft.), a dilapidated boardwalk, and a rock berm (351.3sq.ft.). The lot has undergone erosion due to recent storms. There is an existing rock revetment seaward of the upland area that extends to the north and south of the applicant’s property.
The applicant proposes to construct an additional rock revetment landward of the existing rock revetment and the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM). The additional rock revetment will be installed on the existing escarpment by first grading the escarpment to create a 4:1 slope. Once graded, geotextile fabric will then be placed and #4 gravel bedding will be placed on top of the geotextile fabric. Larger 30 inch GDOT Type 1 riprap will then be placed on top of the #4 gravel and continue a 4:1 slope into the upland area. The top surface in the upland area will be #4 gravel, and then the upland interface will be grassed and stabilized. The additional rock revetment to be constructed will total 748sq.ft. (0.017 acres). Access to the site for the proposed additional rock revetment will require access through the existing undeveloped lot, Lot 4, owned by Malcolm Kerr who has provided written permission. SPA Permit #467 issued on February 22, 2019 authorized a 625 sq.ft. staging area to be on the undeveloped lot for the temporary staging of the rock material. This temporary staging area will be restored to its natural vegetative and topographic condition upon completion of the proposed work.
The proposed project also includes the replacement of a wooden boardwalk damaged by Hurricanes Matthew and Irma. The 4ft. wide pile supported wooden walkway will extend 50ft. (200sq.ft.) along the lot then turn east for 65ft., constructed on top of an existing rock berm (351.3sq.ft.), to the seaward face of the Johnson Rocks.
The total existing and proposed hardscapes within SPA jurisdiction totals 4,260.8sq.ft. (58%). Approximately 3,032.8sq.ft. (42%) of the SPA jurisdictional area will be retained or improved to a more natural vegetated and topographic state.
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. In passing upon the application for permit, the permit issuing authority shall consider the public interest which for purposes of this part shall be deemed to be the following considerations: (1) Whether or not unreasonably harmful, increased alteration of the dynamic dune field or submerged lands, or function of the sand-sharing system will be created; (2) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with the conservation of marine life, wildlife, or other resources; and (3) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with reasonable access by and recreational use and enjoyment of public properties impacted by the project.
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 January 5, 2020 to Josh Noble, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.
Click here for Project Application
Click here for Project Description
