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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 Bluffs at Laurel View, LLC 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 community dock and bulkhead on the Laurel View River, Liberty County, Georgia.
The project site currently consists of an undeveloped 1.0 acre parcel of land designated the “Dock Area” and the adjoining tract of undeveloped land to the west (Tax Parcel ID# 320 001). There is currently no bank stabilization in place and there has been active tidal erosion observed at the interface between upland and marsh.
The marshlands component of the proposed project consists of a community dock and 372 linear foot bulkhead with a rip rap toe which will be constructed in coastal marshlands immediately seaward of the CMPA jurisdiction line. The proposed community dock will originate from the 1.0 acre “Dock area” parcel. The dock will consist of a 6ft. x 200ft. (1,136sq.ft. in CMPA jurisdiction) walkway leading from the upland to a 20ft. x 20ft. (400sq.ft.) covered fixed deck. Two 3ft. x 20ft. (120sq.ft.) ramps will extend from the east and west sides of the fixed deck to access two 10ft. x 60ft. (1,200sq.ft.) floating docks extending upstream and downstream. The proposed community dock will impact approximately 2,857sq.ft. of coastal marshlands.
The proposed dock structure is considered a Tier Three Community Dock in accordance with O.C.G.A. 391-2-3-.03 “Regulation of Marinas, Community Docks and Commercial Docks.” The Tier Three Community Dock will serve Lots 2-10 of The Bluffs at Laurel View Subdivision.
A 222.5 linear foot portion of the bulkhead will be located along the entire shoreline of the “Dock Area” parcel and a 149.5 linear foot portion of the bulkhead will extend to the adjoining parcel to the west (Parcel ID#: 320 001). The proposed bulkhead and associated backfill (1.9sq.ft./0.1cu.yds) will impact approximately 373.9sq.ft. of coastal marshlands. Immediately seaward of bulkhead will be 1,807sq.ft. of rip rap along the “Dock Area” parcel as well as a 984sq.ft. along a portion of the adjoining parcel to the west (Parcel ID#: 320 001) totaling approximately 2,791sq.ft. (155cu.yds.). Total impacts to coastal marshlands for the proposed shoreline stabilization are 3,164.9sq.ft.
As proposed, the community dock and bulkhead project will impact approximately 6,021.9 square feet (0.14 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 24,550sq.ft. for both parcels and all those amenities which are necessary for the function of the marshlands component of the project. There are no existing structures within the 50ft. marshlands buffer. The proposed permanent impacts associated with the bulkhead tie backs include 47 vertical pilings (47sq.ft.), horizontal pilings (423sq.ft.), and tie rods (423sq.ft.). The proposed permanent impacts associated with the dock facility consist of a portion of the dock walkway (63sq.ft.), a gravel entrance road (22,334sq.ft.), a gravel parking lot for 10 vehicles (5,144sq.ft.), and a gravel walking path (571sq.ft.). Permanent impacts within the upland component will total 28,122sq.ft. Temporary impacts will consist of excavation and backfill to install tie backs for the proposed bulkhead and will total 4,319sq.ft. After construction of the proposed bulkhead, the site will be stabilized with native coastal vegetation.
Total permanent impacts within the 50ft. marshlands buffer will be 3,242sq.ft. which will remain 100% pervious upon project completion.
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 July 10, 2025 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view application.
