Judy B. Whiddon and Ruth A. Knox Land Alteration and Landscaping, 520 Ribault Lane, Sea Island, Glynn County, Georgia

Glynn

This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Judy B. Whiddon and Ruth A. Knox for a Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et. seq. for land alteration and landscaping within the State’s SPA Jurisdiction, 520 Ribault Lane, Sea Island, Glynn County, Georgia.

The applicant’s lots total approximately 14,391 sq.ft. (0.33 acres) of which 4,345 sq.ft. is located within the State’s SPA jurisdiction. An existing house and pool is located landward of SPA jurisdiction. The area within jurisdiction consists of a maintained lawn and landscaping. There is an existing concrete wall located immediately east of the subject lot.

The applicant commenced removal of damaged vegetation caused by Hurricanes Matthew and Irma in early 2018 on property owned by SIA PROPCO I, LLC on the seaward side of the property. The applicant conducted the vegetation removal without authorization from Shore Protection Committee or the Department of Natural Resources and has since purchased the additional land from SIA PROPCO I, LLC and is requesting authorization to complete the landscaping restoration.

The applicant proposes to restore landscaping through the installation of 2,910 sq.ft (0.07 acres) of lawn and 1,435 sq.ft (0.03 acres) of planted beds. No hardscapes are proposed. As proposed, 100 percent of the State’s SPA jurisdictional area will 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 June 13, 2019 to Josh Noble, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.

Click here for the Public Notice

Click here for the Project Application

Click here for the Project Description

Click here for the Project Drawings