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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 Alfred W. Jones III for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct and maintain a bulkhead at 135 Sinclair Plantation, Brailsford Creek Marshes St. Simons Island, Glynn 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 project site currently consists of a developed residential lot. There is currently no bank stabilization in place and there has been no active erosion observed at the upland and marsh interface.
The marshlands component of the proposed project consists of a proposed 444 linear foot wooden bulkhead, which will be constructed in coastal marshlands immediately seaward of the CMPA jurisdiction line. The proposed bulkhead will require 444sq.ft. of backfill. Approximately 5.43 cubic yards of backfill will be located below the High Tide Line (HTL). The filled coastal marshlands will be stabilized with native, salt tolerant grasses.
As proposed the project will impact approximately 444 square feet (0.01 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The upland component of the project consists of all existing, permanent, and temporary activities taking place within the 50ft. marshlands buffer which totals 16,910sq.ft. There are no existing structures within the 50ft. marshlands buffer. The permanent impacts associated with the proposed bulkhead are 23,190sq.ft. of backfill. Temporary construction impacts within the 50ft. marshlands buffer will include approximately 6,280sq.ft. of equipment operations within a 15ft. corridor immediately adjacent to the proposed bulkhead, equipment access, and storage of materials. After construction of the proposed bulkhead, the site will be stabilized with native coastal vegetation as part of the landscaped residential lawn.
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.
A detailed public notice with drawings has been distributed and is available by visiting the Department of Natural Resources website: CoastalGaDNR.org under “Public Notices.”
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 September 19, 2024 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
